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The Admission Of Criminal Histories At Trial, Department Of Justice Office Of Legal Policy
The Admission Of Criminal Histories At Trial, Department Of Justice Office Of Legal Policy
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
As part of a continuing series of studies on impediments to the search for truth in criminal investigation and adjudication, the Office of Legal Policy has carried out a review of the law governing the admission of the criminal records of defendants and other persons at trial. The results of this review are set out in this Report.
An Eclectic Approach To Impeachment By Prior Convictions, Lawrence A. Margolis
An Eclectic Approach To Impeachment By Prior Convictions, Lawrence A. Margolis
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Almost every state permits persons convicted of a crime to testify in either their own or another person's behalf. Nonetheless, these states allow evidence of a person's prior criminal conviction to be used to impeach his credibility. The use of this method of impeachment in criminal trials has been the subject of substantial adverse criticism; yet, the practice remains widespread. This article first will discuss the problems that arise from the use of prior conviction evidence for impeachment purposes in criminal trials and then will examine several proposals that would restrict the use of such evidence. Finally, the article will …