Is a defendant's right to cross-examine and impeach a witness during cross-examination limited?

The trial judge has discretion to impose reasonable limits on cross-examination, and this court finds error only when that discretion has been abused. United States v. Jackson, 882 F.2d 1444, 1446 (9th Cir.1989). When there is an abuse of discretion, there must be an inquiry into whether the error was harmless. When there is no constitutional violation, the error does not require reversal if it is more probable than not that it did not contribute to the verdict. See id. at 1447.

Whether limitations on cross-examination are so severe as to amount to a violation of the confrontation clause is a question of law reviewed de novo. United States v. Jenkins, 884 F.2d 433, 435 (9th Cir.), cert. denied --- U.S. ----, 110 S.Ct. 568, 107 L.Ed.2d 562 (1989). A violation of the confrontation clause, including a violation of the defendant's right to cross-examine and impeach a witness, is subject to harmless error analysis. Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. 673, 684, 106 S.Ct. 1431, 1438, 89 L.Ed.2d 674 (1986). The conviction

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