Key Votes
HB 198 - Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases - Key Vote
Wyoming Key Votes
Stages
Family
Issues
Stage Details
Legislation - Bill Failed (House) (29-30) - Feb. 7, 2011 (Key vote)
Title: Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases
Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the admission of previous acts of sexual misconduct as evidence in certain civil and criminal cases, beginning July 1, 2011.
Highlights:
-Authorizes admission of previous acts of sexual misconduct as evidence in civil cases in which a claim for damages is based on the defendant's commission of a crime of sexual assault or sexual abuse of a minor (Sec. 1).
-Authorizes admission of previous acts of sexual misconduct as evidence in criminal cases in which the defendant is being tried for sexual assault or sexual abuse of a minor (Sec. 1).
-Specifies the procedures by which previous acts of sexual misconduct are to be admitted as evidence in civil or criminal cases (Sec. 1):
- -The prosecution must submit a motion, accompanied by affidavits, to the court at least 15 days before the trial begins stating that the prosecution has an offer of proof of relevancy of such evidence;
-If the court finds the offer of proof sufficient, the court shall order a hearing during which both the prosecution and the defense will be given the opportunity to comment on the offer of proof and other evidence;
-If the court finds that the value of the evidence outweighs the possibility of creating undue prejudice against the defendant, then the evidence is admissible; and
-The court shall make an order stating which evidence may be introduced, and may specify the nature of questions to be permitted during the trial.
Legislation - Introduced (House) - Jan. 24, 2011
Title: Admissibility of Evidence in Sex Offense Cases