The People of the State of New York v. Harold Mayrant

Summary

The Court held that the trial judge erred in denying the motion to preclude cross‑examination about the defendant's prior convictions because the judge failed to apply the Sandoval balancing test, and that the error was not harmless, requiring reversal of the Appellate Division's order and a new trial. The decision rested on the need to balance probative value against unfair prejudice when using prior convictions to impeach credibility. Justice Gabrielli dissented, arguing the error was harmless and the conviction should be affirmed.