California legal term
trial counsel in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “trial counsel” 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 “trial counsel” mean in California criminal law?
“trial counsel” means both the prosecution and the defense counsel in the trial in which the sentence of death has been imposed. (Cal. Penal Code § 190.8)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.