What is the test for prejudicial evidence in a sexual assault case?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Foster, A155739 (Cal. App. 2020):

We are unpersuaded that the prior sexual offense evidence in this case was unduly prejudicial. "[T]he test for prejudice under Evidence Code section 352 is not whether the evidence in question undermines the defense or helps demonstrate guilt, but is whether the evidence inflames the jurors' emotions, motivating them to use the information, not to evaluate logically the point upon which it is relevant, but to reward or punish the defense because of the jurors' emotional reaction." (People v. Valdez (2012) 55 Cal.4th 82, 145.)

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