CA Evid Code Section 1416


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.
Last Updated

Aug. 19, 2023

§ 1416’s source at ca​.gov