What is the effect of allowing the jury to hear evidence of other crimes?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Smallwood, 228 Cal.Rptr. 913, 42 Cal.3d 415, 722 P.2d 197 (Cal. 1986):
The harm which flows from allowing the jury to hear evidence of other crimes is too well known to require much restatement. In People v. Thompson (1980) 27 Cal.3d 303, 165 Cal.Rptr. 289, 611 P.2d 883, this court rigorously enforced the rule that evidence of other crimes may never be admitted to show the accused's criminal propensity. 9
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