What is the authority of the trier of fact in assessing the credibility of a witness?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Espinosa, F067071 (Cal. App. 2014):

of course defer to the trier of fact. "The trier of the facts is the exclusive judge of the credibility of the witnesses. [Citation.]" (Hicks v. Reis (1943) 21 Cal.2d 654, 659.) In assessing a witness's credibility, the trier of fact may consider the manner in which the witness testifies, the motive or interest of the witness in the outcome of the case, and any contradictory evidence. (Ibid.) "Provided the trier of the facts does not act arbitrarily, he may reject in toto the testimony of a witness, even though the witness is uncontradicted." (Id. at pp. 659-660.) Here, the trial court found defendant's explanations lacking, and it acted well within its authority in so finding.

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