Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE MOTION FOR REHEARING AND DISPOSITION THEREOF IF FILED RAY YOUNG, Appellant, v. STATE OF FLORIDA, Appellee.
Appellant challenges his judgment and sentence for lewd or lascivious molestation of a child less than twelve years old. Although he raises several points on appeal, we conclude that only one point has merit and necessitates a new trial. The trial court erred by admitting as impeachment evidence the certified copies of Appellant's prior convictions for similar crimes. Mathis v. State, 135 So.3d 484, 486–87 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014). See also Charles W. Ehrhardt, Ehrhardt's Florida Evidence § 610.6 (2014 ed.) (error for prosecutor to attempt to introduce evidence regarding nature of witness's felony conviction for impeachment purposes unless witness denies conviction or otherwise gives misleading testimony regarding conviction).
The State does not refute this claim of error but argues nevertheless that the introduction of the nature of Appellant's convictions was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. We cannot reach this conclusion on this record.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
TORPY, C.J., LAWSON and BERGER, JJ., concur.
PER CURIAM.
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Docket No: Case No. 5D12–2371
Decided: July 18, 2014
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)