Carmichael v. State, 670 So. 2d 1178

PER CURIAM.

The record reflects that the trial court committed reversible error in curtailing the defendant’s cross-examination of the prosecution’s chief witness as to her possible motive, bias, or self-interest. The law in Florida is clear that evidence tending to establish that a witness appearing before the State for any reason other than to tell the truth should not be kept from the jury. A trial court’s refusal, in a criminal prosecution, to allow cross-examination of a witness concerning a pending civil action between that witness and the defendant is error. See Wooten v. State, 464 So.2d 640 (Fla. 3d DCA), review denied, 475 So.2d 696 (Fla.1985).

Reversed.

Case Details

Case Name: Carmichael v. State

Court Name: District Court of Appeal of Florida

Date Published: Apr 3, 1996

Citations: 670 So. 2d 1178; 1996 Fla. App. LEXIS 3340; 1996 WL 148997; No. 95-2304

Docket Number: No. 95-2304

Court Abbreviation: Fla. Dist. Ct. App.