Evidence: Review and Summary: Conviction Evidence

REVIEW and SUMMARY: Conviction Evidence

Purpose

Admissible?

Rationale
Propensity to commit a particular crime NO Unfairly prejudicial
Propensity to commit a sexual assault Federal: YES
Rape is treated differently
MIMIC YES Directly relevant to the current charges; not offered for propensity
Impeaching a Witness's Character for Veracity Federal: Crimes of deceit;

NO misdemeanors; balancing must take place for felonies


Convictions for crimes of dishonesty or for serious crimes may show that a witness is willing to lie under oath
Impeaching a Character Witness's Knowledge Federal: Yes, but questions only; purpose: impeachment only, not propensity
Convictions are the kind of things that affect people's opinions and reputations