SECTIONS 785-791 - California Statutes

EVIDENCE CODE

SECTION 785-791

785. The credibility of a witness may be attacked or supported by
any party, including the party calling him.

786. Evidence of traits of his character other than honesty or
veracity, or their opposites, is inadmissible to attack or support
the credibility of a witness.

787. Subject to Section 788, evidence of specific instances of his
conduct relevant only as tending to prove a trait of his character is
inadmissible to attack or support the credibility of a witness.

788. For the purpose of attacking the credibility of a witness, it
may be shown by the examination of the witness or by the record of
the judgment that he has been convicted of a felony unless:
(a) A pardon based on his innocence has been granted to the
witness by the jurisdiction in which he was convicted.
(b) A certificate of rehabilitation and pardon has been granted to
the witness under the provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with
Section 4852.01) of Title 6 of Part 3 of the Penal Code.
(c) The accusatory pleading against the witness has been dismissed
under the provisions of Penal Code Section 1203.4, but this
exception does not apply to any criminal trial where the witness is
being prosecuted for a subsequent offense.
(d) The conviction was under the laws of another jurisdiction and
the witness has been relieved of the penalties and disabilities
arising from the conviction pursuant to a procedure substantially
equivalent to that referred to in subdivision (b) or (c).

789. Evidence of his religious belief or lack thereof is
inadmissible to attack or support the credibility of a witness.

790. Evidence of the good character of a witness is inadmissible to
support his credibility unless evidence of his bad character has
been admitted for the purpose of attacking his credibility.

791. Evidence of a statement previously made by a witness that is
consistent with his testimony at the hearing is inadmissible to
support his credibility unless it is offered after:
(a) Evidence of a statement made by him that is inconsistent with
any part of his testimony at the hearing has been admitted for the
purpose of attacking his credibility, and the statement was made
before the alleged inconsistent statement; or
(b) An express or implied charge has been made that his testimony
at the hearing is recently fabricated or is influenced by bias or
other improper motive, and the statement was made before the bias,
motive for fabrication, or other improper motive is alleged to have
arisen.