California legal term
sexual assault in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “sexual assault” 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 “sexual assault” mean in California criminal law?
“sexual assault” means conduct in violation of Section 243.4, 261, 262, 286, 287, or 289 of, or former Section 288a of, the Penal Code. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11350.5)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.