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HomeEvidence CodeDiv. 6Ch. 3Art. 1§ 720 Expert Witness Qualifications

§ 720 Expert Witness Qualifications

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

§ 720 Expert Witness Qualifications

Key Takeaways

  • •An expert witness must know a lot about a topic to talk about it in court.
  • •If someone says the witness isn't an expert, they have to prove their knowledge first.
  • •The witness can explain their own skills or knowledge to show they're an expert.

Example

A doctor is asked to explain in court how a car crash hurt someone.

The doctor can talk about injuries because they went to medical school and treat patients. If the other side says the doctor isn’t qualified, the doctor can explain their training to prove they know about injuries.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 720 Expert Witness Qualifications

(a) 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. Against the objection of a party, such special knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education must be shown before the witness may testify as an expert. (b) A witness’ special knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education may be shown by any otherwise admissible evidence, including his own testimony. (Enacted by Stats. 1965, Ch. 299.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

special knowledgeskillexperiencetrainingeducationexpert witness

Related Statutes

  • § 801 Expert Witness Testimony Rules
  • § 721 Expert Witness Cross-Examination Rules
  • § 722 Court Expert Witness Disclosure
  • § 600 Presumptions And Inferences
  • § 601 Presumption Types And Effects

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 720.
View Official Source