H 481                _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 788

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Haugen, Zellinsky, Grant, Brough, May and Miller

Read first time 2/9/87 and referred to Committee on Judiciary.

AN ACT Relating to evidence in criminal cases; and adding a new section to chapter 10.58 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 10.58 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The legislature finds a significant predictor of future criminal behavior is actual criminal conduct and that individuals who engage in sophisticated and ongoing schemes that constitute misdemeanors as well as felonies are less credible in their denials of such conduct.  Therefore, the legislature believes that evidence of prior criminal conduct should be admitted for the purpose of attacking the credibility of those convicted of serious crimes or other crimes involving dishonesty or false statements.

          (2) Notwithstanding any rule of court to the contrary, for the purpose of attacking the credibility of a witness, a crime is deemed to involve dishonesty or false witness and, subject to any time limits, pardons, annulments, or certificates of rehabilitation, shall be admissible as evidence if the crime committed was a gross misdemeanor involving theft or a felony.