Section VI · Witnesses
Rule 608. A witness' character for truthfulness or untruthfulness
2024 Manual for Courts-Martial, United States
Recent revisions Summary of changes Cited by (2)(a) Reputation or Opinion Evidence. A witness' credibility may be attacked or supported by testimony about the witness' reputation for having a character for truthfulness or untruthfulness, or by testimony in the form of an opinion about that character. Evidence of truthful character is admissible only after the witness' character for truthfulness has been attacked.
(b) Specific Instances of Conduct. Except for a criminal conviction under Mil. R. Evid. 609, extrinsic evidence is not admissible to prove specific instances of a witness' conduct in order to attack or support the witness' character for truthfulness. The military judge 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' character for truthfulness.
(c) Evidence of Bias. Bias, prejudice, or any motive to misrepresent may be shown to impeach the witness either by examination of the witness or by evidence otherwise adduced.
Cross-referencesCited by 2Cites 1
Cited by
Provisions elsewhere in the Manual whose text cites Rule 608. Each link opens the citing provision.
Military Rules of Evidence
…is relevant to an offense concerning which the accused has testified. This waiver is subject to Mil. R. Evid. 608(b).
…trial in which the answer is given, does not extend to a rehearing or new or other trial, and is subject to Mil. R. Evid. 608(b).
Rule 608 cites
Provisions named in the text of Rule 608. Where the cited provision is on this site, the link opens it.