Cal. Evidence Code § 795 : California Evidence Code — Witnesses — Hypnosis Of Witnesses — Admissibility of testimony by witness previously hypnotized

31 Aug 2016

Current through the 2016 Legislative Session

(a) The testimony of a witness is not inadmissible in a criminal proceeding by reason of the fact that the witness has previously undergone hypnosis for the purpose of recalling events that are the subject of the witness's testimony, if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The testimony is limited to those matters that the witness recalled and related prior to the hypnosis.
(2) The substance of the prehypnotic memory was preserved in a writing, audio recording, or video recording prior to the hypnosis.
(3) The hypnosis was conducted in accordance with all of the following procedures:
(A) A written record was made prior to hypnosis documenting the subject's description of the event, and information that was provided to the hypnotist concerning the subject matter of the hypnosis.
(B) The subject gave informed consent to the hypnosis.
(C) The hypnosis session, including the pre- and post-hypnosis interviews, was video recorded for subsequent review.
(D) The hypnosis was performed by a licensed physician and surgeon, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional clinical counselor experienced in the use of hypnosis and independent of and not in the presence of law enforcement, the prosecution, or the defense.
(4) Prior to admission of the testimony, the court holds a hearing pursuant to Section 402 at which the proponent of the evidence proves by clear and convincing evidence that the hypnosis did not so affect the witness as to render the witness's prehypnosis recollection unreliable or to substantially impair the ability to cross-examine the witness concerning the witness's prehypnosis recollection. At the hearing, each side shall have the right to present expert testimony and to cross-examine witnesses.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability of a party to attack the credibility of a witness who has undergone hypnosis, or to limit other legal grounds to admit or exclude the testimony of that witness.
Ca. Evid. Code § 795
Amended by Stats 2011 ch 381 (SB 146),s 20, eff. 1/1/2012.
Amended by Stats 2009 ch 88 (AB 176),s 34, eff. 1/1/2010.
Amended by Stats 2002 ch 1013 (SB 2026), s 77, eff. 1/1/2003.