Opinion ID: 1223959
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Use of Prior Conviction for Impeachment

Text: Defendant argues that the trial court erred when it ruled that defendant's prior convictions would be admissible for impeachment if he testified. Pursuant to Arizona Rules of Evidence 609, the trial court granted the state permission to introduce defendant's prior felony convictions to attack his credibility if he elected to testify, but the state was precluded from identifying the nature of the offenses for which he was convicted. Defendant, as a result, chose not to testify. If a defendant chooses not to testify at trial, he waives the right to challenge the trial court's ruling on the admissibility of a prior conviction. Luce v. United States, 469 U.S. 38, 43, 105 S.Ct. 460, 464, 83 L.Ed.2d 443 (1984); State v. Schrock, 149 Ariz. 433, 437, 719 P.2d 1049, 1053 (1986). This issue was therefore waived on appeal.