Actions are of two kinds: 1. Civil; and, 2. Criminal.
§ 24.Division of actions
Preliminary Provisions · Enacted 1872 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 24 divides the actions Section 22 defines into two kinds — civil and criminal — with Sections 25 and 30 developing the civil side and Section 31 pointing to the Penal Code for the criminal side.
Full Text of § 24
Plain-English Summary
Section 24 takes the broad definition of “action” from Section 22 and splits it in two: civil actions and criminal actions.
Sections 25 and 30 develop the civil side further; Section 31 points to the Penal Code for the criminal side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two kinds of actions under the Code of Civil Procedure?
Section 24 divides actions into civil and criminal.
Is there a third type of action besides civil and criminal?
No. Section 24 divides actions into exactly two kinds.
Amendment History
Enacted 1872.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: civil vs criminal action CaliforniaCCP section 24