What is the test for impeaching a witness on a collateral matter?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Ackerman, D073260 (Cal. App. 2019):
"[C]ollateral matters are admissible for impeachment purposes . . . ." (People v. Lavergne (1971) 4 Cal.3d 735, 742 (Lavergne).) However, "the collateral character of the evidence reduces its probative value." (Ibid.) Therefore, when a party seeks to impeach a witness on a collateral matter, a trial court must determine whether the
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