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California legal term

new evidence in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “new evidence” 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 “new evidence” mean in California criminal law?

“new evidence” means evidence that has not previously been presented and heard at trial and has been discovered after trial. (Cal. Penal Code § 1473)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.