Rule 609:Use of Convictions to Attack Credibility

Problem 8

Problem 8: Your Flow

Charts

One Possible Flow Chart

Flow Chart 1Conviction offered to impeach witness

Is Witness

the Accused

Accused Rules

Regular Rules

NoYes

Flow Chart 2Conviction of Non-Accused

Yes Crime of Dishonesty?

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Felony?

Pass 403?

Admit subject to Exceptions (b) - (d) Exclude

Flow Chart 3Conviction of Accused

Yes Crime of Dishonesty?

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Felony?

Special Balance

Admit subject to Exceptions (b) - (d) Exclude

1

2

3

4

5

Admit

Admit

Admit

Admit

Exclude

403 Balancing

1

2

3

4

5

Admit

Admit

Exclude

Exclude

Exclude

Special 609(a)(1) Balancing

1

2

3

4

5

Admit

Admit

Admit

Admit

Exclude

Regular 403 Balancing

Exclude

Exclude

Special 609(a)(1) Balancing

Rule 403 reflects a

strong preference

for admission

Rule 609(a)(1) reflects a

weak preference

for exclusion

Flow Chart 4Old Conviction

Admit subject to Exceptions (b) - (d) Exclude

>10 yrssince

conviction?

>10 yrssince

release?

PassesSpecial609(b)

Balance?

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

1

2

3

4

5

Admit

Admit

Admit

Admit

Exclude

403 Balancing

1

2

3

4

5

Admit

Exclude

Exclude

Exclude

Exclude

Special 609(b) Balancing

1

2

3

4

5

Admit

Admit

Admit

Admit

Exclude

Regular 403 Balancing

Exclude

Exclude

Special 609(b)

Balancing

Exclude

Rule 403 reflects a

strong preference

for admission

Rule 609(b) reflects a

strong preference

for exclusion

Flow Chart 5Pardon

NoPardon?

RestoreRights

Yes Type ofPardon

Admit Subject to Exception (d) Exclude

Innocence

Rehabilitation

Stayed

Clean

YesNo

Flow Chart 6Juvenile Convictions

AdmitExclude

Yes

No YesYes

No

NoWas it ajuvenile

conviction?

Currentcase

criminal?

Iswitness the

accused?

Admit

Yes

No

AdmissionNecessary

for FairTrial

NoYes

OKto attack

credibilityof adult

?