Opinion ID: 1431933
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Cross-examination of Witness' Drug History

Text: The state called David Bilodeau to testify concerning admissions the defendant made to him. The witness had a lengthy history of substance abuse but was not under the influence of drugs at the time the defendant spoke to him. The state sought to exclude on relevancy grounds evidence of the witness' drug history beyond his use at the time when he heard the defendant's admissions. Defense counsel argued that the history was admissible to explain discrepancies in Mr. Bilodeau's testimony and impeach his memory, but made no offers of proof beyond bare speculation. The court granted the state's motion. A trial court should admit relevant evidence but exclude that which has little probative value when it would confuse issues, unfairly prejudice the jury, or invade the witness' privacy. 17A A.R.S., Rules of Evid., Rule 403; State v. Zuck, 134 Ariz. 509, 513, 658 P.2d 162, 166 (1982). A witness' ability to perceive or recall critical facts is highly relevant to his credibility. Nonetheless, a trial judge does not abuse his discretion when he excludes testimony about a witness' psychiatric history when the defendant fails to make an offer of proof that the witness' perception or memory was affected by his illness. Id., 134 Ariz. at 513, 658 P.2d at 166-67. Contrary to the state's assertion, because the evidence of Mr. Bilodeau's drug use history might affect his ability to accurately perceive and remember the defendant's statements, it could be relevant. Nevertheless, as in Zuck, the defendant failed to show that it would indeed be relevant through an offer to prove how it impaired his memory and perception. Without some basis to believe that Mr. Bilodeau's substance abuse affected him at the time, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it granted the state's motion in limine.