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HomeEvidence CodeDiv. 11Ch. 2Art. 3§ 1552 Computer Printout Evidence Presumption

§ 1552 Computer Printout Evidence Presumption

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

§ 1552 Computer Printout Evidence Presumption

Key Takeaways

  • •If you print out something from a computer, like a document or a photo, the court will assume it’s real and accurate unless someone proves it’s fake.
  • •If someone says the printout is wrong, the person who brought the printout has to prove it’s real with strong evidence.
  • •This rule also applies to printouts from traffic cameras, like speeding tickets from a red-light camera.
  • •This rule does NOT apply to official records that are already certified by the government, like birth certificates or police reports.

Example

You get a speeding ticket in the mail with a photo of your car from a traffic camera.

The court will assume the photo is real and shows you speeding. If you say the photo is fake or wrong, you have to prove it. The police don’t have to prove it’s real unless you give a good reason to doubt it.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1552 Computer Printout Evidence Presumption

(a) A printed representation of computer information or a computer program is presumed to be an accurate representation of the computer information or computer program that it purports to represent. This presumption is a presumption affecting the burden of producing evidence. If a party to an action introduces evidence that a printed representation of computer information or computer program is inaccurate or unreliable, the party introducing the printed representation into evidence has the burden of proving, by a preponderance of evidence, that the printed representation is an accurate representation of the existence and content of the computer information or computer program that it purports to represent. (b) Subdivision (a) applies to the printed representation of computer-generated information stored by an automated traffic enforcement system. (c) Subdivision (a) shall not apply to computer-generated official records certified in accordance with Section 452.5 or 1530. (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 735, Sec. 1. (SB 1303) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

printed representationcomputer informationcomputer programpresumptionburden of producing evidencepreponderance of evidenceautomated traffic enforcement systemcomputer-generated official records

Related Statutes

  • § 1553 Digital Image Evidence Presumption
  • § 647 Process Server Return Presumption
  • § 1235 Prior Inconsistent Witness Statements
  • § 1236 Consistent Witness Statements Admissible
  • § 1237 Witness Past Statement Admissibility

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 1552.
View Official Source