Conviction by Prior Impeachment

60 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2016 Last revised: 19 Jan 2017

Date Written: April 22, 2016

Abstract

Impeaching the testimony of criminal defendants through the use of their prior convictions is a practice that is triply flawed: (1) it relies on assumptions belied by data; (2) it has devastating impacts on individual trials; and (3) it contributes to many of the criminal justice system’s most urgent dysfunctions. Yet critiques of the practice are often paired with resignation. Abolition is thought too ambitious because this practice is widespread, long-standing, and beloved by prosecutors. Widespread does not mean universal, however, and a careful focus on the states that have abolished this practice reveals arguments that overcame prosecutorial resistance and that intervening developments have strengthened. It also reveals decades of courtroom experience, illustrating both the potential and weaknesses of existing bans on this form of impeachment. Examining and finding wanting the reasons for this practice’s ongoing existence, this Article proposes a model statute for states considering abolition.

Keywords: impeachment, 609, collateral consequences, wrongful convictions, prosecutorial ethics, plea bargaining

JEL Classification: K14, K41

Suggested Citation

Roberts, Anna, Conviction by Prior Impeachment (April 22, 2016). 96 Boston University Law Review 1977 (2016), Seattle University School of Law Research Paper No. 16-16, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2768951

Anna Roberts (Contact Author)

Brooklyn Law School ( email )

250 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
United States

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