California legal term
release in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “release” 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 “release” mean in California criminal law?
“release” includes a release from the state prison or a county jail because time has been served, a release from the state prison or a county jail to parole or probation supervision, or an escape from an institution or reentry facility. (Cal. Penal Code § 646.92)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.