State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Edgar Hawthorne, Defendant-Respondent

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the trial court's order suppressing the defendant's prior convictions and remanded for trial, holding that under N.J.S. 2A:81-12 a conviction may be shown to affect credibility regardless of its age and that the trial judge lacks discretion to exclude such evidence on the ground of remoteness. The Court emphasized the statutory language and legislative history showing no time limitation. Two concurring opinions joined the result but differed on the scope of judicial discretion. The decision leaves the matter to the jury’s assessment of credibility.