State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Thomas L. Scott (a/K/A James Longenberger, and Christopher Tureaud)…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the State could not cross‑examine the defendant’s mother about prior false statements to police because such evidence is barred by N.J.R.E. 403 and 608 and is not probative of bias. The trial court’s in‑limine ruling was therefore an abuse of discretion and the error was not harmless, so the Appellate Division’s judgment affirming the ruling was reversed. The opinion was accompanied by a concurrence urging reconsideration of Rule 608 and a partial dissent arguing the error was harmless.