California Penal Code Section 969b - Interpretation

In People v. Martinez (2000) 22 Cal. 4th 106, the Supreme Court concluded that items other than the "record of conviction," and certified prison records admissible under California Penal Code section 969b, are admissible to establish issues pertaining to a prior conviction, as long as such other evidence does not pertain to the substance of a prior conviction. For example, such other evidence is admissible to establish such matters as the fact of the prior conviction (i.e., that someone suffered it) and the identity of the defendant as the person who suffered it. (Martinez, supra, 22 Cal. 4th at pp. 113-118.)