Cross-examination and Specific Instances.

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if allowed by the judge
• D. Only with jury approval

Answer: (A)

On cross-examination you can question a witness about specific past acts to test their credibility. This is allowed because those specific instances can be probative of a witness’s truthfulness or untruthfulness, helping the jury assess how trustworthy the witness is. The questions must focus on acts that bear on honesty, and the rule generally lets you explore them on cross-examination rather than proving them with other evidence. While a judge may limit or restrict such questions if they’re irrelevant or unfairly prejudicial, you don’t need special permission from the judge just to ask about these specific instances, and the jury isn’t required to approve them. That’s why the correct stance is that you may inquire about specific instances on cross-examination.