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HomeEvidence CodeDiv. 6Ch. 6Art. 1§ 780 Witness Credibility Factors

§ 780 Witness Credibility Factors

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

§ 780 Witness Credibility Factors

Key Takeaways

  • •The court or jury can look at many things to decide if a witness is telling the truth.
  • •They can check how the witness acts, what they say, and if they have a reason to lie.
  • •If the witness said something different before, that can be used to check their story.
  • •The witness's honesty and how well they remember things matter too.

Example

A person says they saw a car crash but later say something different in court.

The jury can look at both statements to decide if the person is telling the truth now or if they are lying.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 780 Witness Credibility Factors

Except as otherwise provided by statute, the court or jury may consider in determining the credibility of a witness any matter that has any tendency in reason to prove or disprove the truthfulness of his testimony at the hearing, including but not limited to any of the following: (a) His demeanor while testifying and the manner in which he testifies. (b) The character of his testimony. (c) The extent of his capacity to perceive, to recollect, or to communicate any matter about which he testifies. (d) The extent of his opportunity to perceive any matter about which he testifies. (e) His character for honesty or veracity or their opposites. (f) The existence or nonexistence of a bias, interest, or other motive. (g) A statement previously made by him that is consistent with his testimony at the hearing. (h) A statement made by him that is inconsistent with any part of his testimony at the hearing. (i) The existence or nonexistence of any fact testified to by him. (j) His attitude toward the action in which he testifies or toward the giving of testimony. (k) His admission of untruthfulness. (Enacted by Stats. 1965, Ch. 299.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

credibility of a witnessdemeanorcharacter of his testimonycapacity to perceivebiasinterestmotivestatement previously madeadmission of untruthfulness

Related Statutes

  • § 782 Sexual Conduct Evidence Rules
  • § 782.1 Condom Evidence Prostitution Ban
  • § 783 Sexual Conduct Evidence Rules
  • § 786 Witness Character Evidence Limits
  • § 787 Witness Character Evidence Limits

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 780.
View Official Source