Evidence of a witness's character may be admitted under which Rules?

• A. Rule 404. (a)(2)
• B. Rule 607, 608, and 609
• C. Rule 406
• D. Rule 403

Answer: (B)

When assessing a witness’s credibility, you look to impeachment provisions rather than the general rule against using character to prove conduct. Any party may attack a witness’s credibility, and credibility can be attacked or supported by evidence about the witness’s character for truthfulness, whether by reputation or by opinion. Specific instances of dishonest conduct generally can’t be proven by extrinsic evidence, though they may be explored on cross-examination. Evidence of a witness’s prior criminal convictions is admissible to attack credibility under set conditions. Taken together, these rules govern how a witness’s character for truthfulness may be admitted. Rules dealing with a witness’s credibility are distinct from rules that address other uses of character evidence (such as propensity to act in accordance with character) or from rules about habit and general probative-prejudice balancing.