California legal term
Sterile area in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Sterile area” 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 “Sterile area” mean in California criminal law?
“Sterile area” means a portion of an airport defined in the airport security program to which access generally is controlled through the screening of persons and property, as specified in Section 1540.5 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or a portion of any passenger vessel terminal to which, pursuant to the requirements set forth in Sections 105.255 and 105.260(a) of Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations, access is generally controlled in a manner consistent with the passenger vessel terminal’s security plan and the maritime security level in effect at the time. (Cal. Penal Code § 171.5)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.