What is the purpose of impeachment of a witness in criminal proceedings?

Impeachment of a witness in criminal proceedings is when a lawyer or prosecutor questions the credibility of a witness by pointing out inconsistencies in their testimony or by using evidence that appears to contradict them. The purpose of impeaching a witness is to weaken their credibility and, by extension, the credibility of their testimony. In Florida, impeachment of a witness is governed by the Rules of Evidence. Specifically, evidence can be used to impeach the credibility of a witness if it “tends to affect the believability of the testimony of the witness,” or if it shows the witness is “biased or has a motive to testify falsely”. Such evidence could include prior statements, criminal records, or evidence that the witness has been convicted of perjury. This process is important to ensure that reliable evidence is presented in court. If a witness is shown to be unreliable or biased, then the court may not be able to rely on the accuracy of their testimony. By undermining the credibility of a witness, impeachment helps to ensure that the court is presented with accurate and reliable information throughout the proceedings.

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What is the purpose of impeachment of a witness in criminal proceedings?

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