California legal term
Therapeutic purpose in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Therapeutic purpose” 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 “Therapeutic purpose” mean in California criminal law?
“Therapeutic purpose” means for the purpose of addressing an existing or recurring infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claw that jeopardizes the cat’s health, where addressing the infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition is a medical necessity. (Cal. Penal Code § 597.6)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.