Can a criminal conviction be used to impeach a witness' credibility?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from Leader v. State of California, 182 Cal.App.3d 1079, 226 Cal.Rptr. 207 (Cal. App. 1986):
Leader fails to make this subtle but vital distinction as he mistakenly relies on People v. Lent (1975) 15 Cal.3d 481, 124 Cal.Rptr. 905, 541 P.2d 545, for the proposition that misdemeanor convictions can never be used to impeach a witness' credibility.
"The most advanced legal research software ever built."
The above passage should not be considered legal advice. Reliable answers to complex legal questions require comprehensive research memos. To learn more visit www.alexi.com.
Other Questions
What is the test for determining whether a witness has a criminal conviction for a previous criminal conviction that was impeaching the same criminal offence? (California, United States of America)
If a witness has been convicted of a criminal offence under section 28(f) of the California Criminal Code, is that prior conviction relevant for impeachment of a witness? (California, United States of America)
Does a defendant have to provide a record of criminal convictions and a history of criminal activity with respect to criminal convictions? (California, United States of America)
Does a convicted felon who has completed his sentence for a conviction for a felonies conviction under Proposition 47 of the California Criminal Code, who would have been convicted of a misdemeanor under this act if this act had not been in effect? (California, United States of America)
When a convicted criminal has completed his sentence for a conviction for a crime committed under section 1170.18, subdivision (f) of the California Criminal Code, can the conviction be reduced to a misdemeanor? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for reversal of a conviction under section 186.22 of the California Criminal Code when a defendant has been convicted of a charge of criminal activity committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang? (California, United States of America)
Does the fact that it is a defendant who seeks to use prior felony convictions to impeach an adverse witness in a criminal case have to allow the evidence to be impeached? (California, United States of America)
Can a reduction of a criminal conviction to a criminal charge change the nature of the criminal conviction? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for admitting evidence of prior criminal convictions to impeach the credibility of any witness? (California, United States of America)
Can a witness be impeached in a criminal case if he is convicted of a prior felony conviction involving moral turpitude? (California, United States of America)
