California legal term
traumatic condition in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “traumatic condition” 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 “traumatic condition” mean in California criminal law?
“traumatic condition” means a condition of the body, such as a wound, or external or internal injury, including, but not limited to, injury as a result of strangulation or suffocation, whether of a minor or serious nature, caused by a physical force. (Cal. Penal Code § 273.5)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.