Opinion ID: 2187807
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: clarification of lytal

Text: This Court's holding in Lytal prohibiting a trial court from reserving its ruling on the admission of evidence of prior convictions until after a defendant has testified applies only where such evidence is offered to impeach a defendant's general credibility under MRE 609. It remains within the trial court's discretion to admit at any time during the course of a trial evidence of prior convictions, notwithstanding a ruling to exclude such evidence under MRE 609, if it is being offered for some proper purpose other than to impeach a defendant's credibility in general. For instance, evidence of prior convictions is always admissible to show perjured testimony of the defendant regarding the existence or nature of prior convictions. See People v Burse, 62 Mich App 204, 212; 233 NW2d 232 (1975); see also United States v Babbitt, 683 F2d 21, 25 (CA 1, 1982). In addition, evidence of prior criminal offenses which qualify as similar-acts evidence under MRE 404(b) may be admissible if offered for the purposes permitted by that rule. See People v Golochowicz, 413 Mich 298; 319 NW2d 518 (1982). Furthermore, MRE 609 was not intended to apply where evidence of prior convictions is offered to rebut specific statements of the defendant who testifies at trial. See United States v Johnson, 542 F2d 230, 234-235 (CA 5, 1976). In regard to evidence of prior convictions offered to rebut specific testimony, we find that that particular use of such evidence is not within the contemplation of MRE 609 because it is not impeachment of a defendant's credibility for truthfulness or veracity in general, but rather for the narrow purpose to rebut specific testimony given by a defendant. Because this distinction may not be self-evident, it is advisable that a cautionary instruction be given at the time the evidence is offered or before the jury retires to deliberate regarding the limited use the jury may make of evidence of a prior conviction offered to rebut testimony. Moreover, as with any type of rebuttal evidence it is limited to only relevant evidence, MRE 401, and to that which the trial court determines that the probative value of the evidence is not substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect, MRE 403. See People v McGillen # 1, 392 Mich 251, 266-268; 220 NW2d 677 (1974).