Cal. Evidence Code - EVID § 1030. Section 1030.
As used in this article, a “member of the clergy” means a priest, minister, religious practitioner, or similar functionary of a church or of a religious denomination or religious organization.
ARTICLE 8. Clergy Penitent Privileges [1030. - 1034.]
Cal. Evidence Code - EVID 8.
in effectCal. Evidence Code - EVID § 1031. Section 1031.
As used in this article, “penitent” means a person who has made a penitential communication to a member of the clergy.
Cal. Evidence Code - EVID § 1032. Section 1032.
As used in this article, “penitential communication” means a communication made in confidence, in the presence of no third person so far as the penitent is aware, to a member of the clergy who, in the course of the discipline or practice of the clergy member’s church, denomination, or organization, is authorized or accustomed to hear those communications and, under the discipline or tenets of his or her church, denomination, or organization, has a duty to keep those communications secret.
Cal. Evidence Code - EVID § 1033. Section 1033.
Subject to Section 912, a penitent, whether or not a party, has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to prevent another from disclosing, a penitential communication if he or she claims the privilege.
Cal. Evidence Code - EVID § 1034. Section 1034.
Subject to Section 912, a member of the clergy, whether or not a party, has a privilege to refuse to disclose a penitential communication if he or she claims the privilege.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026