California statute
Cal. Penal Code § 4
Current through 2025–2026 Regular Session (leginfo weekly dump, 2026-07-12)
Part of Part preliminary: Preliminary Provisions, California Penal Code.
Full text of Cal. Penal Code § 4
Statutory text current through the 2025–2026 Regular Session (leginfo weekly dump, 2026-07-12). This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of California.
The rule of the common law, that penal statutes are to be strictly construed, has no application to this Code. All its provisions are to be construed according to the fair import of their terms, with a view to effect its objects and to promote justice.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.