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California legal term

Voluntary proceeding in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “Voluntary proceeding” 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 “Voluntary proceeding” mean in California criminal law?

“Voluntary proceeding” means an Indian child custody proceeding, as defined in subdivision (d), that is not an involuntary proceeding, where both parents have, or the Indian custodian has, of their free will, without a threat of removal by a state agency, consented to the placement of the Indian child, or a proceeding for voluntary termination of parental rights. (Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 224.1)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.