California legal term
School zone in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “School zone” 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 “School zone” mean in California criminal law?
“School zone” means an area in, or on the grounds of, a public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or within a distance of 1,000 feet from the grounds of the public or private school. (Cal. Penal Code § 626.9)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.