Opinion ID: 2371491
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Witness' Prior Convictions

Text: Taylor next claims that the trial judge improperly excluded evidence of Cooper's three prior convictions of unlawful sexual assault. [9] Although crimes involving dishonesty or false statement, whether felony or misdemeanor, are admissible as bearing directly on a witness' credibility, [10] felony convictions not involving dishonesty or false statement are admissible only if the trial court, in the exercise of its discretion, concludes that the probative value of the evidence outweighs its prejudicial effect. [11] Here, the trial judge determined that the prejudicial effect of the evidence regarding Cooper's prior sexual assault convictions outweighed its probative value and excluded it. We find no error or abuse of discretion on the part of the Superior Court in so doing.