California legal term
Similarly situated in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Similarly situated” 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 “Similarly situated” mean in California criminal law?
“Similarly situated” means that factors that are relevant in charging and sentencing are similar and do not require that all individuals in the comparison group are identical. (Cal. Penal Code § 745)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.