The Penal Code defines and provides for the prosecution of a criminal action.
§ 31.Criminal actions
Preliminary Provisions · Enacted 1872 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 31 provides that the Penal Code defines and governs the prosecution of criminal actions.
Full Text of § 31
Plain-English Summary
Section 31 hands off the criminal side of Section 24’s civil/criminal split to a different code entirely.
Rather than defining or governing criminal actions itself, the Code of Civil Procedure points to the Penal Code, which defines them and provides for how they’re prosecuted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are criminal actions defined under California law?
Section 31 points to the Penal Code, which defines criminal actions and governs their prosecution.
Does the Code of Civil Procedure itself define criminal actions?
No. Section 31 leaves that to the Penal Code, which both defines criminal actions and governs how they’re prosecuted.
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: criminal action defined CaliforniaCCP section 31