44. Is the question proper?

A witness's bias, interest, partiality, or possible corruption is always relevant for impeachment because the jury or fact finder is entitled to all evidence that will help in its determination of accuracy and truth in a witness's testimony. Bias may exist where there is a special relationship between the parties, either favorable or hostile. Evidence that a witness is biased or has an interest in the outcome of a suit tends to show that the witness has a motive to lie. A witness may always be impeached by extrinsic evidence of bias or interest, provided a proper foundation is laid.

Federal Rule of Evidence (FRE) 610 states: «Evidence of a witness's religious beliefs or opinions is not admissible to attack or support the witness's credibility. «However, an inquiry into a witness's religious beliefs for the purpose of showing interest or bias because of them is allowed.

D is correct. The question regarding whether the witness belongs to a religious group that refuses to file tax returns on the basis that the money is used to build weapons of war is proper impeachment because it tends to show bias, interest, partiality, or corruption, which is always relevant. Bias can be established by any evidence of favoritism or hostility to either party on the part of a witness. Also, even if there are no hostile or friendly feelings toward either party, the witness may have an interest in the outcome of the case, which also establishes bias. In this case, the defendant is the government. Evidence that the witness belongs to such a group may show a bias towards the government. Therefore, the question is proper.

A is incorrect. It is true that FRE 610 forecloses inquiry into the religious beliefs or opinions of a witness for the purpose of showing that his character for truthfulness is affected by their nature. Here, however, the witness is not being impeached on the sole basis of his religious beliefs. He is being impeached because his religious beliefs indicate a potential bias or hostility towards the government-defendant, which is a proper form of impeachment.

B is incorrect. This is an incorrect statement of the law. There are instances in which a witness's character may be impeached by prior bad acts under the FRE. Here, the witness's affiliation with the religious group is proper, as explained above.

C is incorrect. This answer reaches the correct answer with the wrong reasoning. Although the question is proper, it is not because a person's willingness to violate tax laws is indicative of untruthfulness. Impeachment evidence to show untruthfulness must be conduct that reflects untruthful character. In this case, the conduct is possibly failing to file tax returns. That conduct is not deceitful in nature and does not show untruthful character. Therefore, the evidence is not admissible as impeachment untruthfulness. It is because his affiliation tends to show bias or hostility towards the government.