How Old Can You Be For A Tattoo In Vegas

Posted on May 14, 2021

How old do you have to be to get a tattoo in California?

California law requires that a person be at least xviii years of age in guild legally to get a tattoo. In fact, according to Penal Code 653 PC, it is a offense to "ink" or administrate a tattoo to a minor under the age of 18.

A violation of this lawmaking section is charged every bit a misdemeanor. The crime is punishable by:

custody in the county jail for not more than six months; and/or,
a maximum fine of $1,000.

What is California Penal Code 653 PC?

PC 653 is the California statute that speaks on tattooing a person under the age of xviii.

The code department says it is a crime for a person to either tattoo, or to offering to tattoo, whatsoever person aged xviii or younger.

Under PC 653, "to tattoo" means:

"to insert pigment under the surface of the skin of a human being, past pricking with a needle or otherwise, so as to produce an indelible mark or figure visible through the skin."

There is an exception nether the code section and it applies to licensed practitioners of the "healing arts." This means these professionals are not guilty of tattooing a minor if they prick a modest's skin with a needle in the course of their practise.

Some examples of professionals employed in the "healing arts" include:

occupational therapists,
massage therapists,
chiropractors,
medical assistants, and
acupuncturists.

What are the penalties if a person violates this section?

If a party is guilty of tattooing a small, he is charged with a misdemeanor. The offense is punishable by:

imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 6 months; and/or,
a maximum fine of $1,000.

Delight note that in lieu of jail time a judge may club a accused to misdemeanor probation. This is also called "summary" or "informal" probation.

Are there whatsoever legal defenses?

At that place are two common legal defenses available to a defendant that is charged with tattooing a minor. This kickoff is to show that he did not "tattoo" a person, as that term is divers under the statute. For example, a person that places a temporary tattoo on a kid is non guilty of a criminal offence because he did not prick a needle into the child's peel.

The second defense is for an accused to bear witness that he is a licensed practitioner of the healing arts and is exempted from PC 653. If these professionals "tattoo" a minor in the course of their do (e.g., a medical banana cartoon blood from a minor), then they are not guilty of a crime.

What near piercings?

Different getting a tattoo, there is not a minimum age for getting a piercing. However, a minor must have 1 of her parent'southward consent earlier getting her ears pierced. Further, a parent or guardian of a minor must be nowadays before and during the procedure.

Please note that minors tin be pierced in an area other than their ears with parental consent, merely not on their genitals or nipples.

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Neil Shouse

A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, Court TV, The Today Show and Court Television. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers every bit one of the Pinnacle 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.