Government Code section 820

(a)

Except as otherwise provided by statute (including Section 820.2), a public employee is liable for injury caused by his act or omission to the same extent as a private person.

(b)

The liability of a public employee established by this part (commencing with Section 814) is subject to any defenses that would be available to the public employee if he were a private person.

Source: Section 820, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=820.­ (updated Jan. 1, 1963; accessed Jul. 21, 2025).

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Verified:
Jul. 21, 2025

§ 820's source at ca​.gov