Case Name: TAYLOR v. WALTER
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1970-10-06
Citations: 385 Mich. 599
Docket Number: No. 9; Docket No. 52,327; No. 16
Parties: TAYLOR v. WALTER
Judges: T. M. Kavanagh, C. J., and Adams, and Swainson, JJ., concurred with Black, J.
Reporter: Michigan Reports
Volume: 385
Pages: 599–617

Head Matter:
TAYLOR v. WALTER
Opinion of the Court
1. This ease should be reversed for the reasons stated in the opinion by Black, J., in Taylor v. Walter (1970), 384 Mich 114, 117-120.
Dissenting Opinion
T. G. Kavanagh, J.
2. Criminal Law — Crime—Words and Phrases.
A person commits a crime whenever he does an act which is prohibited by law, which act is punishable by fine, penalty, forfeiture or imprisonment.
3. Criminal Law — Crime—Automobiles—Michigan Vehicle Code.
Any violation of the Michigan Vehicle Code is expressly made a misdemeanor or a felony with punishment by fine or imprisonment, and hence, as a general proposition, is a crime.
4. Criminal Law — Crime—Automobiles—Prohibited Left Turn— Witnesses — Credibility.
The “crime” of malting a prohibited left turn is not necessarily a “crime” which touches on the credibility of a witness.
5. Witnesses — Cross-Examination — Credibility — Prior Arrests and Convictions — Discretion.
Cross-examination of a witness regarding prior arrests and convictions, to test his credibility, is within the trial judge’s discretion (CCS 1968, 607).
References for Points in Headnotes
No headnote.
21 Am Jur 2d, Criminal Law § 1.
7 Am Jur 2d, Automobiles and Highway Traffic §§ 312-346.
7 Am Jur 2d, Automobiles and Highway Traffic §§ 799-802.
[5, 6] 58 Am Jur, Witnesses § 754 et seq.
Dissenting Opinion
T. E. Brennan, J.
6. Witnesses — Cross-Examination—Driving Record — Discretion.
Trial cowrt did, not err in sustaining objection to cross-examination of a witness’ driving record as it is discretionary with the trial court whether or not evidence of unrelated traffic violations is admissible (GCM 1963, 607).
Appeal from Court of Appeals, Division 1, Levin, P. J., and T. Gr. Kavanagh and Newblatt, JJ., affirming Wayne, Neal Fitzgerald, J.
Submitted May 6, 1970.
(No. 9
April Term 1970,
Docket No. 52,327.)
Decided October 6, 1970.
Submitted on rehearing June 10,1971.
(No. 16
June Term 1971,
Docket No. 52,327.)
Decided August 27, 1971.
15 Mich App 361 reversed.
Complaint by James W. Taylor against Rudi Walter for personal injuries sustained when defendant’s automobile struck him. Verdict and judgment for defendant. Plaintiff appealed to the Court of Appeals. Affirmed. Plaintiff appeals. Affirmed by an equally divided Court, 384 Mich 114. Rehearing granted.
Reversed and remanded.
Albert Lopatin (Norman L. Zemke, P.C., of counsel), for plaintiff.
Roy P. Nelson, for defendant.

Opinion:
On Rehearing
Black, J.
(for reversal and remand). Further writing would amount to mere expatiation. I adhere to my original opinion (384 Mich 114, 117-120) and vote again in accordance therewith.
T. M. Kavanagh, C. J., and Adams, and Swainson, JJ., concurred with Black, J.
Williams, J.
(for reversal and remand). I concur with Justice Black without passing on "Professor McCormick's 'undue prejudice' test." I agree that no discretion was exercised.