What Is in California’s Evidence Code?

The California Evidence Code is one of 29 Codes that contain state statutes. The Evidence Code contains several sections of general provisions, followed by 11 Divisions. There are also numerous parts, chapters, and articles containing hundreds of code sections, or individual statutes. The following is a broad overview of the Evidence Code.

EVIDENCE CODE

DIVISION 1. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS AND CONSTRUCTION [1 – 12]

There are 12 Sections.

DIVISION 2. WORDS AND PHRASES DEFINED [100 – 260]

There are 32 Sections.

DIVISION 3. GENERAL PROVISIONS [300 – 413]

There are 5 Chapters and 2 Articles.

DIVISION 4. JUDICIAL NOTICE [450 – 460]

There are 12 Sections.

DIVISION 5. BURDEN OF PROOF; BURDEN OF PRODUCING EVIDENCE; PRESUMPTIONS AND INFERENCES [500 – 670]

There are 3 Chapters and 6 Articles.

DIVISION 6. WITNESSES [700 – 795]

There are 7 Chapters and 6 Articles.

DIVISION 7. OPINION TESTIMONY AND SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE [800 – 870]

There are 1 Chapter and 3 Articles.

DIVISION 8. PRIVILEGES [900 – 1070]

There are 5 Chapters and 15 Articles.

DIVISION 9. EVIDENCE AFFECTED OR EXCLUDED BY EXTRINSIC POLICIES [1100 – 1162]

There are 3 Chapters.

DIVISION 10. HEARSAY EVIDENCE [1200 – 1390]

There are 2 Chapters and 18 Articles.

DIVISION 11. WRITINGS [1400 – 1605]

There are 3 Chapters and 7 Articles.