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HomeEvidence CodeDiv. 10Ch. 2Art. 2§ 1230 Statement Against Interest Exception

§ 1230 Statement Against Interest Exception

Evidence Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1230 Statement Against Interest Exception

Key Takeaways

  • •If someone says something that could hurt them (like admitting they did something wrong or embarrassing), it can be used as evidence in court even if they can't testify.
  • •This only works if a reasonable person wouldn't say it unless it was true.
  • •The person must be unavailable to testify in court for this rule to apply.

Example

A person tells their friend, 'I stole money from work,' and later moves away and can't come to court.

Because admitting to stealing could get them in big trouble, a judge might let the friend repeat what they said in court as evidence.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1230 Statement Against Interest Exception

Evidence of a statement by a declarant having sufficient knowledge of the subject is not made inadmissible by the hearsay rule if the declarant is unavailable as a witness and the statement, when made, was so far contrary to the declarant’s pecuniary or proprietary interest, or so far subjected him to the risk of civil or criminal liability, or so far tended to render invalid a claim by him against another, or created such a risk of making him an object of hatred, ridicule, or social disgrace in the community, that a reasonable man in his position would not have made the statement unless he believed it to be true. (Enacted by Stats. 1965, Ch. 299.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

hearsay ruledeclarantpecuniary or proprietary interestcivil or criminal liabilityhatred, ridicule, or social disgrace

Related Statutes

  • § 1220 Admissions Against Party
  • § 1223 Conspiracy Statement Admissibility
  • § 1240 Spontaneous Excited Statements
  • § 1241 Hearsay Exception For Conduct
  • § 1260 Will And Trust Statements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 1230.
View Official Source