California legal term
State of emergency in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “State of emergency” 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 “State of emergency” mean in California criminal law?
“State of emergency” means a natural or manmade emergency resulting from an earthquake, flood, fire, riot, storm, drought, plant or animal infestation or disease, pandemic or epidemic disease outbreak, or other natural or manmade disaster for which a state of emergency has been declared by the President of the United States or the Governor. (Cal. Penal Code § 396)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.