Section 701 Of Chapter 1. Competency From California Evidence Code >> Division 6. >> Chapter 1.
701
. (a) A person is disqualified to be a witness if he or she is:
(1) Incapable of expressing himself or herself concerning the
matter so as to be understood, either directly or through
interpretation by one who can understand him; or
(2) Incapable of understanding the duty of a witness to tell the
truth.
(b) In any proceeding held outside the presence of a jury, the
court may reserve challenges to the competency of a witness until the
conclusion of the direct examination of that witness.