Can a jury use prior crimes evidence to prove propensity to commit a crime?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Ward, D076348 (Cal. App. 2020):

222 Cal.App.4th 741, 755 [rejecting appellant's prejudice argument where limiting instruction precluded jurors from using prior crimes evidence to show propensity to commit charged offense].) We presume the jury understood and followed the instruction. (People v. Cage (2015) 62 Cal.4th 256, 275.)

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