Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Can your priors be brought up in court??

[streetluv]

A friend and I were discussing a case being brought up against a famous R&B musician regarding child pornography and petaphilia. My friend kept insisting that the fact that this musician had married a 15 year old 6 years ago and allegedly had relations with another 16 year old in the past was enough to get him hung. I didn't dispute this, I was just wondering if it would be possible that his attorney could make it so that the prior marriage and last relationship with a minor be inadmissable. I have seen in t.v. court dramas where bringing up the prior offense(s) of the defendant cause a mistrial, etc. Thanks for any replies!Click here to email me a response or you can just reply to this posting

 

[jon_]

The rules of evidence sometimes disallow evidence that is not relevant that would simply be there to cast a bad light upon the defendant. For example, if a person was convicted of a crime for robbery once, it should be brought up again because a jury might think "once a thief always a thief." The idea is that the jury should concentrate on the evidence in the case and make a decision.

However, if there is a pattern of the same crime, it may be admissible in court. It seems that this rock musician has a pattern of sexual abuse of minors. This might be an exception that would allow the jury to hear evidence of these relevant past crimes.