What does Rule 608(a) permit on cross-examination about a witness’s truthfulness?

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Multiple Choice

What does Rule 608(a) permit on cross-examination about a witness’s truthfulness?

Explanation:
On cross-examination, credibility can be attacked or supported by reputation or opinion evidence about a witness's character for truthfulness. Rule 608(a) allows you to bring in how the witness is viewed in the community (reputation) or to have a witness give their opinion about whether the person is honest. It does not authorize asking about specific past acts to prove truthfulness under this rule—that narrower, act-specific questioning is governed by other provisions (such as 608(b) for specific instances, or 609 for convictions). So the best description of what Rule 608(a) permits is reputation or opinion evidence about truthfulness.

On cross-examination, credibility can be attacked or supported by reputation or opinion evidence about a witness's character for truthfulness. Rule 608(a) allows you to bring in how the witness is viewed in the community (reputation) or to have a witness give their opinion about whether the person is honest. It does not authorize asking about specific past acts to prove truthfulness under this rule—that narrower, act-specific questioning is governed by other provisions (such as 608(b) for specific instances, or 609 for convictions). So the best description of what Rule 608(a) permits is reputation or opinion evidence about truthfulness.

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