California legal term
Race or ethnicity in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Race or ethnicity” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “Race or ethnicity” mean in California criminal law?
“Race or ethnicity” includes ancestry, color, and ethnic background. (Cal. Penal Code § 422.56)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.