Every legal statement on Legal in Cali has to trace back to the law itself. This policy explains which sources we use, how a guide moves from question to publication, and how we keep it accurate after it goes live.
Our sources
We rely on primary sources, meaning the documents that create or interpret California law:
- The California Constitution and the 29 California codes, including the Penal, Vehicle, Health and Safety, Labor, Civil and Family codes
- Bill text, chaptered laws, effective dates and legislative history from the California Legislature
- The California Code of Regulations and official guidance from agencies such as the DMV, the California Department of Justice, the Labor Commissioner, the Department of Cannabis Control and the Civil Rights Department
- Published opinions of the California Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal, and opinions of the Attorney General
- Ballot measure text and official voter guide summaries for laws Californians passed directly
- Federal statutes and rules where they apply alongside California law, such as firearms, cannabis and immigration
News coverage can alert us that something changed. It is never the source of a legal claim. We confirm the change in the official text, and note its effective date, before a guide says it.
How a guide is made
- Define the question. We start from what people in California actually search for and ask, and decide what a reader needs to know first.
- Find every rule that applies. We identify the statutes, regulations and court decisions that govern the topic and read the current text.
- Check for change. We look for new legislation, ballot measures, injunctions and agency actions, because many California laws are amended every year.
- Answer first. The guide opens with a direct answer, then explains conditions, exceptions, city differences and penalties.
- Verify and cite. Each legal statement names its source and is checked against that source before publication.
Keeping guides current
The date on each guide is the date it was last checked against current law. Because most new California laws take effect on January 1, every guide in an affected area is reviewed each winter. Fast-moving topics, including guns, cannabis and hemp, gambling, abortion, labor law and housing, are also rechecked at least monthly. Other guides are reviewed at least twice a year, and right away when we learn of a change.
Independence
Our guides are not written or approved by any law firm, agency or advertiser. No one pays to change what a guide says about the law.
Research tools
We use research and drafting software to work faster. It never replaces the check against the law. Every legal statement is verified against its source before publication, and the editor is responsible for everything on the site.
Corrections
When we get something wrong, we fix it and say so on the page. See our corrections policy to report an error.