Opinion ID: 2183683
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: R.E. 609 Prior Convictions Admissible

Text: Desmond's second argument is that the Superior Court erred in permitting the State to question him about his prior convictions without first making an independent finding either that the probative value of the convictions outweighed their prejudicial effect or that the crimes involved dishonesty or false statement. According to Desmond, the trial judge was required to, but did not, make such a finding pursuant to Delaware Rule of Evidence 609. [7] The record reflects that Desmond's argument is without merit. Before Desmond testified on his own behalf, the prosecutor showed Desmond's defense counsel certified docket sheets listing five prior convictions that the State deemed admissible pursuant to D.R.E. 609(a). Nevertheless, during his direct examination, Desmond stated he had been convicted of two or three felonies. On cross-examination, Desmond initially repeated his assertion that he was convicted a total of three times for felonies and crimes involving dishonesty or false statement. The prosecutor then started to ask Desmond about a specific prior felony conviction. Desmond's attorney objected. The trial judge held a side-bar conference on the record. After considering Desmond's objection, the trial judge ruled that, pursuant to D.R.E. 609(a), the State would be permitted to cross-examine Desmond with respect to four felony convictions and one misdemeanor conviction for theft, since the latter conviction involved dishonesty. The prosecutor proceeded to identify those prior convictions for Desmond and asked him whether he remembered the date and nature of each. [8] Desmond responded affirmatively and eventually admitted the true number of his conviction for felonies and crimes involving dishonesty. The trial judge immediately instructed the jury, with the concurrence of all counsel, to consider Desmond's prior convictions for the limited purpose of impeaching his credibility and not in assessing his guilt or innocence. See D.R.E. 105; Weber v. State, Del.Supr., 547 A.2d 948 (1988). The record reflects that the Superior Court did not abuse its discretion. The State was properly permitted to confront Desmond with evidence that contradicted his direct testimony concerning his prior convictions for felonies or crimes of dishonesty. That evidence was admissible for the proper limited purpose of impeaching Desmond's credibility generally, as well as specifically in view of Desmond's inaccurate testimony during his direct examination. D.R.E. 607 and 609(a).