California § 653. 653. (Added by Stats. 1955, Ch. 1422.)

California Statutes

§ 653. — 653. (Added by Stats. 1955, Ch. 1422.)

California § 653.

JurisdictionCalifornia

Code PENPenal Code - PEN

Title15.

Part 1.TITLE 15. MISCELLANEOUS CRIMES

Ch. 2.CHAPTER 2. Of Other and Miscellaneous Offenses

This text of California § 653. (653. (Added by Stats. 1955, Ch. 1422.)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Cal. Penal Code - PEN Code § 653. (2026).

Text

Every person who tattoos or offers to tattoo a person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor.
As used in this section, to “tattoo” means to insert pigment under the surface of the skin of a human being, by pricking with a needle or otherwise, so as to produce an indelible mark or figure visible through the skin.
This section is not intended to apply to any act of a licensed practitioner of the healing arts performed in the course of his practice.

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Every person who tattoos or offers to tattoo a person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor.
As used in this section, to “tattoo” means to insert pigment under the surface of the skin of a human being, by pricking with a needle or otherwise, so as to produce an indelible mark or figure visible through the skin.
This section is not intended to apply to any act of a licensed practitioner of the healing arts performed in the course of his practice.