Cal. Codes » Evidence Code / DIVISION 6. WITNESSES / CHAPTER 1. Competency
California Codes

Cal. Evidence Code § 702 (2026)

Competency

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(a)Subject to Section 801, the testimony of a witness concerning a particular matter is inadmissible unless he has personal knowledge of the matter. Against the objection of a party, such personal knowledge must be shown before the witness may testify concerning the matter.

(b)A witness’ personal knowledge of a matter may be shown by any otherwise admissible evidence, including his own testimony.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 180 cases (68 in the last 5 years), 1970–2026 · leading case: People v. Lewis, 28 P.3d 34 (Cal. 2001).
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People v. Lewis, 28 P.3d 34 (Cal. 2001). · cites it 4× “e., “a present recollection of an impression derived from the exercise of the witness’ own senses.”
People v. Cortez, 369 P.3d 521 (Cal. 2016). · cites it 2× “We conclude that the Court of Appeal erred in finding that the testimony was inadmissible because Bernal lacked personal knowledge of whether defendant knew of and went along with a plan to commit the shooting. The Evidence Code declares that ―the testimony of a witness [at…”
People v. Sanchez, 439 P.3d 772 (Cal. 2019). · cites it 2× “( Evid. Code, § 702, subd. (a).) The comments of the Law Revision Commission to Evidence Code section 701 explain, "Because a witness, qualified under Section 701, must have personal knowledge of the facts to which he testifies ( Section 702 ), he must, of course, have the…”
People v. Sanchez, 374 P.3d 320 (Cal. 2016). ““A person is qualified to testify as an expert if he has special knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education sufficient to qualify him as an expert on the subject to which his testimony relates.” (Evid. Code, § 720, subd.”
People v. Zambrano, 163 P.3d 4 (Cal. 2007). · cites it 2× “(Evid.Code, § 702, subd. (a).) The capacity to perceive and recollect particular facts is subsumed within the issue of personal knowledge.”
People v. Harris, 306 P.3d 1195 (Cal. 2013). · cites it 2× “Defendant contends these rulings prevented him from challenging the adequacy of the examination performed on Manning.”
People v. Lopez, 420 P.3d 878 (Cal. 2018). · cites it 2× “Evidence Code Section 702 Lopez filed pretrial motions challenging the admission of S.”
People v. Rodriguez, 971 P.2d 618 (Cal. 1999). · cites it 2× “) Evidence Code section 702 requires a witness to have personal knowledge of the subject matter of the witness's testimony.”
San Diegans for Open Gov't v. San Diego State Univ. Rsch. Found., 13 Cal. App. 5th 76 (Cal. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “2d 57 ; Evid. Code, § 702, subd. (a).) 18 His declarations fail to establish a foundation for any exception to the hearsay rule.”
People v. Caro, 442 P.3d 316 (Cal. 2019). “" Caro contends the prosecution laid insufficient foundation of Xavier's personal knowledge of how much Caro paid to her parents. But the prosecution established earlier that Xavier reviewed his corporate and personal finances in August 1999, which established a foundation for…”
People v. Valencia, 489 P.3d 700 (Cal. 2021). “(Evid. Code, § 702, subd. (a).)12 In the case of experts, both of these general rules are applied with greater latitude.”
Jambazian v. Borden, 25 Cal. App. 4th 836 (Cal. Ct. App. 1994). · cites it 3× “(Evid. Code §§702, 7 800, 801; Vandi v. Permanente Medical Group, Inc.”
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