What does impeachment by bias aim to reveal?

What does impeachment by bias aim to reveal?

• A. A motive to lie or be biased in favor of or against a party
• B. A prior conviction
• C. A prior inconsistent statement
• D. A witness's poor eyesight

Answer: (A)

Impeachment by bias is about showing that a witness may not be objective because they have a stake in the outcome. It looks for motive to color their testimony—to lie, exaggerate, or minimize—driven by personal interest, loyalty, or a relationship with a party. That’s why the best choice describes a motive to lie or be biased in favor of or against a party. Why the others don’t fit: impeachment based on a prior conviction targets past crimes to impeach credibility, not bias. A prior inconsistent statement questions consistency, not bias. A witness’s poor eyesight concerns perception or memory accuracy, not whether they’re biased for or against a party.

Impeachment by bias is about showing that a witness may not be objective because they have a stake in the outcome. It looks for motive to color their testimony—to lie, exaggerate, or minimize—driven by personal interest, loyalty, or a relationship with a party. That’s why the best choice describes a motive to lie or be biased in favor of or against a party.

Why the others don’t fit: impeachment based on a prior conviction targets past crimes to impeach credibility, not bias. A prior inconsistent statement questions consistency, not bias. A witness’s poor eyesight concerns perception or memory accuracy, not whether they’re biased for or against a party.