California CodesCode of Civil Procedure - CCPPart 1 — Of Courts of JusticeTitle 1 — Organization and JurisdictionChapter 5.5 — Small Claims CourtArticle 5 — HearingSection 116.520
(a) The parties have the right to offer evidence by witnesses at the hearing or, with the permission of the court, at another time.
(b) If the defendant fails to appear, the court shall still require the plaintiff to present evidence to prove his or her claim.
(c) The court may consult witnesses informally and otherwise investigate the controversy with or without notice to the parties.
Notes
Allows parties to offer witness evidence at a small claims hearing or, with court permission, at another time. If the defendant does not appear, the court must still require the plaintiff to prove the claim with evidence; the court may also consult witnesses informally and otherwise investigate the dispute with or without notice to the parties.
Use as reference
Lexinter.net | California Code, Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 116.520 | https://laws.lexinter.net/codes/california/code-of-civil-procedure/part-1/title-1/chapter-5-5/article-5/section-116-520