During a trial, the prosecution seeks to introduce evidence that a defendant previously committed a minor theft. While this evidence might suggest a propensity for dishonesty, the defense argues that its potential to unfairly prejudice the jury outweighs its relevance. What is the BEST reason the court should exclude this evidence?
The evidence is irrelevant to the issues being tried in the case.
The evidence violates the defendant's right to confront witnesses.
The evidence constitutes hearsay and lacks an applicable exception.
The evidence's probative value is outweighed by the risk of unfair prejudice.
The correct answer is based on Rule 403, which allows for the exclusion of evidence if its probative value is outweighed by the risk of unfair prejudice. Introducing prior minor thefts may unduly sway the jury's perception of the defendant's character, leading to prejudice rather than focusing on the facts of the current case.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What does Rule 403 entail?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What is probative value in legal terms?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What does unfair prejudice mean in the context of a trial?