§ 814 Witness Property Valuation Basis

Evidence Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•A witness can only guess the value of something if they know facts about it themselves.
•The facts they use must be the kind that experts would trust to guess a value.
•They can use facts they learned before or during the trial, even if those facts aren’t allowed as evidence.

Example

Your neighbor says your old bike is worth $500.

Your neighbor can only say that if they know real stuff about bikes, like how much similar bikes sell for or what shape yours is in. They can’t just make up a number.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 814 Witness Property Valuation Basis

The opinion of a witness as to the value of property is limited to such an opinion as is based on matter perceived by or personally known to the witness or made known to the witness at or before the hearing, whether or not admissible, that is of a type that reasonably may be relied upon by an expert in forming an opinion as to the value of property, including but not limited to the matters listed in Sections 815 to 821, inclusive, unless a witness is precluded by law from using such matter as a basis for an opinion. (Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 381.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

opinion of a witness value of property matter perceived by or personally known to the witness Sections 815 to 821

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 814.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References