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HomeEvidence CodeDiv. 10Ch. 2Art. 8§ 1280 Public Employee Records Exception

§ 1280 Public Employee Records Exception

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

§ 1280 Public Employee Records Exception

Key Takeaways

  • •If a government worker writes something down as part of their job, it can be used in court.
  • •The writing must be done close to when the event happened.
  • •The writing must be trustworthy, meaning it was done carefully and with good information.

Example

A police officer writes a report right after a car crash.

The officer's report can be used in court to show what happened during the crash, even if the officer isn't there to explain it.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1280 Public Employee Records Exception

Evidence of a writing made as a record of an act, condition, or event is not made inadmissible by the hearsay rule when offered in any civil or criminal proceeding to prove the act, condition, or event if all of the following applies: (a) The writing was made by and within the scope of duty of a public employee. (b) The writing was made at or near the time of the act, condition, or event. (c) The sources of information and method and time of preparation were such as to indicate its trustworthiness. (Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 642, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1997.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

hearsay rulepublic employeetrustworthiness

Related Statutes

  • § 1284 Public Record Absence Evidence
  • § 1271 Business Records Exception
  • § 1281 Vital Records Hearsay Exception
  • § 1285 Sexual Offense Hearsay Exceptions
  • § 1311 Family History Hearsay Exception

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 1280.
View Official Source