California legal term
serious or violent felony in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “serious or violent felony” 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 “serious or violent felony” mean in California criminal law?
“serious or violent felony” means any offense defined in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, or in subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7, of the Penal Code. (Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 782)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.