What does Rule 608(b) permit regarding specific acts by a witness to attack credibility?

• A. Inquiring into specific acts to attack or support truthfulness.
• B. Reputation evidence only.
• C. No cross-examination about acts.
• D. Inquiring into specific acts to attack or support truthfulness.

Answer: (D)

Rule 608(b) lets you cross-examine a witness about specific acts that bear on their truthfulness in order to attack or support their credibility. This goes beyond general reputation or opinion about truthfulness (that falls under Rule 608(a)) and allows you to bring out particular past behaviors that might reflect honesty or dishonesty. The questions must relate to the witness’s own conduct and be probative of truthfulness, and the court can limit the scope of such cross-examination. Importantly, this is about questioning the witness about those acts during cross-examination; extrinsic evidence to prove the acts themselves is generally not used to establish credibility under this rule. For example, you might ask about a specific instance where the witness’s honesty could be called into question, and use that to assess credibility, rather than relying solely on reputation.