(a) The rules of evidence apply in expedited jury trials, unless the parties stipulate otherwise.
§ 630.06.Rules of Evidence; Issuance of Subpoenas and Notices to Appear
Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 4.5. Voluntary Expedited Jury Trials · Enacted 2010 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 630.06 keeps ordinary evidence rules in force in an expedited jury trial unless the parties stipulate otherwise, protects privileges and confidentiality even when they relax those rules, and preserves the normal right to subpoena witnesses and documents.
Full Text of § 630.06
(b) Any stipulation by the parties to use relaxed rules of evidence may not be construed to eliminate, or in any way affect, the right of a witness or party to invoke any applicable privilege or other law protecting confidentiality.
(c) The right to issue subpoenas and notices to appear to secure the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents at trial shall be in accordance with this code.
Plain-English Summary
An expedited jury trial doesn't mean an informal one when it comes to proof. The rules of evidence apply just as they would in any civil trial, unless the parties stipulate to something different for their own case.
Even where the parties do agree to relax the evidence rules, that stipulation can't be read to strip away a witness's or party's right to invoke a privilege or any other law protecting confidentiality. And the right to compel witnesses and documents through subpoenas and notices to appear stays exactly as the code otherwise provides — the expedited format doesn't touch it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the normal rules of evidence apply in an expedited jury trial?
Yes, unless the parties stipulate to relaxed rules for their case.
Can a stipulation to relaxed evidence rules force a witness to waive a privilege?
No. Section 630.06(b) preserves the right to invoke any applicable privilege or other confidentiality protection regardless of any such stipulation.
Can parties still subpoena witnesses in an expedited jury trial?
Yes, the right to issue subpoenas and notices to appear to secure witnesses or documents at trial applies in accordance with the code.
Amendment History
Added by Stats 2010 ch 674 (AB 2284),s 2, eff. 1/1/2011.
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: expedited jury trial evidence rules california