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HomeEvidence CodeDiv. 10Ch. 2Art. 3§ 1238 Witness Identification Statements

§ 1238 Witness Identification Statements

Evidence Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1238 Witness Identification Statements

Key Takeaways

  • •If someone saw a crime and told someone else who did it right after it happened, they can say that in court later.
  • •The person must remember telling someone and say it was true when they said it.
  • •This only works if the person is in court to talk about it.

Example

A woman sees a guy steal a bike and tells her friend, 'That guy in the red shirt took the bike!' right after it happens.

Later, in court, the woman can say she told her friend about the guy in the red shirt, and it counts as proof because she said it right away and remembers saying it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1238 Witness Identification Statements

Evidence of a statement previously made by a witness is not made inadmissible by the hearsay rule if the statement would have been admissible if made by him while testifying and: (a) The statement is an identification of a party or another as a person who participated in a crime or other occurrence; (b) The statement was made at a time when the crime or other occurrence was fresh in the witness’ memory; and (c) The evidence of the statement is offered after the witness testifies that he made the identification and that it was a true reflection of his opinion at that time. (Enacted by Stats. 1965, Ch. 299.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

hearsay ruleidentificationfresh in the witness’ memorytrue reflection of his opinion

Related Statutes

  • § 1235 Prior Inconsistent Witness Statements
  • § 1236 Consistent Witness Statements Admissible
  • § 1237 Witness Past Statement Admissibility
  • § 1220 Admissions Against Party
  • § 1221 Adopted Statement Exception

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 1238.
View Official Source