PART 2. OF CIVIL ACTIONS 307-1062.20›TITLE 6. OF THE PLEADINGS IN CIVIL ACTIONS 420-475›CHAPTER 7. General Rules of Pleading 452-465
§ 461
California Code of Civil Procedure · 2020-11 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · California
In any action within Section 460 or 460.5, the defendant may, in his answer, allege both the truth of the matter charged as defamatory, and any mitigating circumstances, to reduce the amount of damages. Whether he proves the justification or not, he may give in evidence the mitigating circumstances.
(Amended by Stats. 1972, Ch. 594.)
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