After the jury have retired for deliberation, if there be a disagreement between them as to any part of the testimony, or if they desire to be informed of any point of law arising in the cause, they may require the officer to conduct them into Court. Upon their being brought into Court, the information required must be given in the presence of, or after notice to, the parties or counsel.
§ 614.Disagreement As to Testimony Or Desire to Be Informed of Point of Law Arising In Case
Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 4. Trial by Jury · Article 2. Conduct of the Trial · Enacted 1872 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 614 lets a deliberating jury be brought back into court, through the officer in charge, if they disagree about the testimony or want to be informed of a point of law, with the requested information given in the presence of, or after notice to, the parties or their counsel.
Full Text of § 614
Plain-English Summary
Deliberation doesn't always resolve every question on its own. If jurors disagree about some part of the testimony, or want to be told about a point of law that's come up during their discussions, § 614 lets them ask the officer to bring them back into court.
What the jury gets when they return isn't given in a vacuum — the court must provide the requested information in the presence of the parties or their counsel, or after giving them notice, so no one is cut out of what the jury is told.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why might a jury ask to be brought back into court during deliberation?
Because of a disagreement among them about part of the testimony, or a desire to be informed on a point of law arising in the case.
Can the court just tell the jury what they ask without notifying the parties?
No. Section 614 requires the information be given in the presence of, or after notice to, the parties or their counsel.
Does this section cover having testimony read back to the jury?
Section 614.5 addresses that scenario specifically, including when the judge's presence isn't required during the read-back.
Amendment History
Enacted 1872.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: jury disagreement testimony californiajury question point of law