Which past convictions are particularly probative under FRE 609?

Which past convictions are particularly probative under FRE 609?

• A. Minor traffic offenses
• B. Crimes involving dishonesty or false statements, and other felonies balancing against prejudice
• C. Only misdemeanors
• D. Juvenile adjudications

Answer: (B)

The main concept is impeaching a witness’s credibility using prior convictions under FRE 609. Crimes involving dishonesty or false statements are highly probative because they directly relate to truthfulness, so they are typically admissible to impeach a witness. In addition, felonies generally carry strong credibility value, but for those not involving dishonesty, admissibility depends on balancing the probative value against potential prejudice; they’re admitted only if the value outweighs prejudice. By contrast, minor traffic offenses usually do not reflect untruthfulness and are not particularly probative, and juvenile adjudications are generally excluded from impeachment evidence. So the option that describes crimes involving dishonesty or false statements, and other felonies subject to balancing, best captures what is most probative under FRE 609.

The main concept is impeaching a witness’s credibility using prior convictions under FRE 609. Crimes involving dishonesty or false statements are highly probative because they directly relate to truthfulness, so they are typically admissible to impeach a witness. In addition, felonies generally carry strong credibility value, but for those not involving dishonesty, admissibility depends on balancing the probative value against potential prejudice; they’re admitted only if the value outweighs prejudice. By contrast, minor traffic offenses usually do not reflect untruthfulness and are not particularly probative, and juvenile adjudications are generally excluded from impeachment evidence. So the option that describes crimes involving dishonesty or false statements, and other felonies subject to balancing, best captures what is most probative under FRE 609.