§ Rule609 Impeachment by Evidence of Conviction of Crime

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Rule609. Impeachment by Evidence of Conviction of Crime

    (a) General Rule. For the purpose of attacking the credibility of a witness, evidence that the witness has been convicted of a specific crime is admissible but only if the crime (1) was punishable by death or imprisonment for one year or more under the law under which the witness was convicted, or (2) involved dishonesty or false statement, regardless of the punishment. In either case admissibility shall depend upon a determination by the court that the probative value of this evidence upon witness credibility outweighs any unfair prejudice to a criminal defendant or to any civil party.

    (b) Time Limit. Evidence of a conviction under this rule is admissible only if less than 15 years have transpired since said conviction or less than 10 years have transpired since termination of any incarceration period therefor.

    (c) Effect of a Pardon, Annulment, or Certificate of Rehabilitation. Evidence of a conviction is not admissible under this rule if the conviction has been the subject of a pardon, annulment, certificate of rehabilitation, or other equivalent procedure.

    (d) Juvenile Adjudications. Evidence of a juvenile adjudication in the proceeding open to the public may be admitted under this rule. Evidence of a juvenile adjudication in a proceeding from which the public was excluded may be admitted under this rule only in another juvenile proceeding from which the public is excluded.