{"code":"EVID","codeName":"Evidence Code","section":"1416","citation":"Evid. Code, § 1416","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"DIVISION 11. WRITINGS [1400. - 1605.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/evidence-code/division-11"},{"name":"CHAPTER 1. Authentication and Proof of Writings [1400. - 1454.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/evidence-code/division-11/chapter-1"},{"name":"ARTICLE 2. Means of Authenticating and Proving Writings [1410. - 1421.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/evidence-code/division-11/chapter-1/article-2"}],"history":"Enacted by Stats. 1965, Ch. 299.","effective":null,"html":"<p>A witness who is not otherwise qualified to testify as an expert may state his opinion whether a writing is in the handwriting of a supposed writer if the court finds that he has personal knowledge of the handwriting of the supposed writer. Such personal knowlegde may be acquired from:</p><p>(a) Having seen the supposed writer write;</p><p>(b) Having seen a writing purporting to be in the handwriting of the supposed writer and upon which the supposed writer has acted or been charged;</p><p>(c) Having received letters in the due course of mail purporting to be from the supposed writer in response to letters duly addressed and mailed by him to the supposed writer; or</p><p>(d) Any other means of obtaining personal knowledge of the handwriting of the supposed writer.</p>","text":"A witness who is not otherwise qualified to testify as an expert may state his opinion whether a writing is in the handwriting of a supposed writer if the court finds that he has personal knowledge of the handwriting of the supposed writer. Such personal knowlegde may be acquired from: (a) Having seen the supposed writer write; (b) Having seen a writing purporting to be in the handwriting of the supposed writer and upon which the supposed writer has acted or been charged; (c) Having received letters in the due course of mail purporting to be from the supposed writer in response to letters duly addressed and mailed by him to the supposed writer; or (d) Any other means of obtaining personal knowledge of the handwriting of the supposed writer.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/evidence-code/means-of-authenticating-and-proving-writings-1416","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}