Ariz. R. Evid. 608

As amended through December 6, 2023

Rule 608 - A Witnesss Character for Truthfulness or Untruthfulness

(a)Reputation or Opinion Evidence. A witness's credibility may be attacked or supported by testimony about the witness's reputation for having a character for truthfulness or untruthfulness, or by testimony in the form of an opinion about that character. But evidence of truthful character is admissible only after the witness's character for truthfulness has been attacked.

(b)Specific Instances of Conduct. Except for a criminal conviction under Rule 609, extrinsic evidence is not admissible to prove specific instances of a witness's conduct in order to attack or support the witness's character for truthfulness. But the court may, on cross-examination, allow them to be inquired into if they are probative of the character for truthfulness or untruthfulness of:

(1) the witness; or

(2) another witness whose character the witness being cross-examined has testified about.

By testifying on another matter, a witness does not waive any privilege against self-incrimination for testimony that relates only to the witness's character for truthfulness.

Ariz. R. Evi. 608

Amended Oct. 19, 1988, effective 11/1/1988; 9/8/2011, effective 1/1/2012.

COMMENT TO 2012 AMENDMENT

This rule has been amended to conform to Federal Rule of Evidence 608, including changing two references to "credibility" to "character for truthfulness" in subsection (b). Additionally, the language of Rule 608 has been amended to conform to the federal restyling of the Evidence Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only. There is no intent in the restyling to change any result in any ruling on evidence admissibility.

COMMENT TO ORIGINAL 1977 RULE

State v. Superior Court, 113 Ariz. 22, 545 P.2d 946 (1976) is consistent with and interpretative of Rule 608(b).

COMMENT

State v. Superior Court, 113 Ariz. 22, 545 P.2d 946 (1976) is consistent with and interpretative of Rule 608(b).

HISTORICAL NOTE

Source:

Fed.Rules Civ.Proc., Rule 43(b), 28 U.S.C.A.

Code 1939, § 21-922.

Rule Civ.Proc., former Rule 43(g).

Federal Rules of Evidence, Rule 608.