California legal term
Eyewitness in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Eyewitness” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “Eyewitness” mean in California criminal law?
“Eyewitness” means a person whose identification of another person may be relevant in a criminal investigation. (Cal. Penal Code § 859.7)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.