Section 23.18 Generally

• Library: Criminal Practice 2012 Supp

1. (§23.18) Generally

Evidence of a witness’s character for truth and veracity may be used for the limited purpose of impeaching the witness. State v. Messley, 366 S.W.2d 390, 393 (Mo. 1963). A witness may also be impeached by any prior convictions, pleas of guilty, pleas of nolo contendere, or findings of guilty. Section 491.050, RSMo 2000. Both felony and misdemeanor convictions can be used for impeachment. State v. Bagby, 93 S.W.2d 241 (Mo. 1936); State v. Powell, 632 S.W.2d 55, 58 (Mo. App. E.D. 1982). But convictions for violations of city ordinances, State v. Keenan, 779 S.W.2d 743, 746 (Mo. App. S.D. 1989); State v. Helm, 892 S.W.2d 743, 745 (Mo. App. E.D. 1994), or juvenile court convictions, State v. Walters, 528 S.W.2d 790, 792 (Mo. App. W.D. 1975), cannot be used for impeachment. Under certain circumstances, the juvenile adjudication is subject to inquiry under the confrontation clause of the Sixth Amendment. Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308 (1974); State v. Howard, 693 S.W.2d 888 (Mo. App. W.D. 1985). If the witness denies the conviction on cross-examination, counsel may introduce the court record to prove the...