California · Evidence Code

EVID §1401: (a) Authentication of a writing is required before it may be received in evidence.

What this law says, in plain English

A writing must be authenticated before it can be used as evidence in court proceedings.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Authentication of a writing is required before it may be received in evidence. (b) Authentication of a writing is required before secondary evidence of its content may be received in evidence.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.