What is the effect of admitting evidence of sexual abuse committed by defendant in a sexual assault case?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Alcala, 205 Cal.Rptr. 775, 36 Cal.3d 604, 685 P.2d 1126 (Cal. 1984):

I cannot conclude, with the assurance of my colleagues, that the admission of evidence of prior offenses committed by defendant was erroneous, or that [36 Cal.3d 637] its admission requires reversal under People v. Watson[685 P.2d 1145] (1956) 46 Cal.2d 818, 836, 299 P.2d 243. There were sufficient similarities in the prior offenses, all against female children, to permit their introduction on the issue of identity.

That the prior offenses against little girls did not result in a killing is not sufficient justification to find dissimilarity and to conclude that the trial court improperly exercised its discretion in admitting the evidence. (People v. McCarty (1958) 164 Cal.App.2d 322, 326, 330 P.2d 484.)

Other Questions


In a sexual assault case, is a defendant more culpable in committing two acts of sodomy than if they committed only one act of sexual assault? (California, United States of America)
Is evidence of sexual assault against a defendant in a sexual assault case not inadmissible? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for admitting evidence of a defendant's prior sexual abuse as propensity evidence in a sex crime case? (California, United States of America)
Is there any reason to exclude evidence of sexual assault prior to the trial of defendant in his sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for admitting evidence of sexual assault in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
In a sexual assault case, is there any evidence that the victim was afraid of defendant prior to the sexual assault in her bedroom or on the living room couch? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for abuse of abuse of the abuse of evidence in a criminal case where a defendant admitted to a prior burglary? (California, United States of America)
For the purposes of section 1108.2(1) of the California Criminal Code, is there any constitutional error in a trial court's decision to instruct the jury in a sexual assault case to consider the use of sexual assault evidence admitted under Section 1108? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for admitting prior sexual assault evidence in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for admitting evidence of misconduct by a defendant in a sexual assault case? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.