Opinion ID: 1303926
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Prior Crimes Charge

Text: Hoffman finally argues that the trial court erred in charging that Hoffman's prior crimes could be held against him on the issue of credibility when Hoffman did not testify. As previously noted, the State introduced evidence of a prior choking incident which was not subject to a conviction. The defense similarly offered evidence through an expert witness of Hoffman's previous convictions for two D.U.I. offenses and several disorderly conduct offenses. Hoffman did not testify at trial. The defense proposed the following charge: I charge you that prior criminal acts of this Defendant, brought out by an expert forming his opinion, cannot be used by you against the Defendant. ROA p. 664. The trial judge stated that he did not charge this defense request because it was covered in the instruction already given to the jury. The defense argued that the standard credibility instruction was incorrect because Hoffman did not take the stand and because the convictions were not for crimes of moral turpitude. The trial judge charged: [a]nd as far as that is concerned, Mr. Foreman, let me further state that any acts, or crimes that might have been alluded to concerning the defendant can only be considered as far as his credibility, not as far as evidence is concerned, as far as the guilt, in any way. But you must decide from the witnesses, and by the exhibits properly introduced, just where the truth lies. And it doesn't matter to you where the truth comes from. It doesn't matter to you whether the truth comes from the witnesses of the State, or the witnesses of the Defendant, or a combination. You aren't interested in where it comes from, you are only interested in the truth. ROA p. 637. This charge is similar to the requested charge except for the language dealing with credibility. Of further interest, defense counsel began his objection to the charge by noting that the instruction related to the reliability of Hoffman's confession. When the instruction is read in its entirety, it addresses an issue raised by Hoffman and his defense counsel. The defense strategy was to attack the veracity of Hoffman's earlier confession. To this end, Hoffman offered an expert witness who testified to the effect of alcohol on Hoffman and his general ability to give a credible confession. The confession was damaging evidence which the defense had to overcome, and the prior impact of alcohol was essential to the credibility of the confession. The question of credibility did not arise from Hoffman's testimony; instead, it arose from Hoffman's confession which was entered into evidence. Credibility was a factor the defense brought before the jury, and the trial judge's instruction addressed the question. Further, the instruction explained to the jury that they could rely solely on the expert's testimony to refute the credibility of the confession. This additional language served to Hoffman's benefit, and was essentially what was requested by defense counsel. Just as with the previous issue, a jury charge which is substantially correct and covers the law does not require reversal. Rabon, supra . Therefore, we find that Hoffman's argument is without merit. Accordingly, for the reasons stated, Hoffman's convictions are AFFIRMED. CHANDLER, FINNEY and MOORE, JJ., concur. HARWELL, C.J., not participating.