California Evidence Code Sections 1101 and 1108 become relevant when you're talking about prosecutors who have filed a criminal sex crime case against somebody, and they're trying to use that person's past against them.
It's not just past criminal convictions for sex crimes; it could just be past evil acts related to sex crimes that were not even charged. So, they're going to give the defense the police reports or whatever information they have associated with those prior sex crimes because they're giving the defense notice that they're going to try to use those sex crimes against their client.
Filing a Motion in Limine
When prior sex-related offenses are brought up, it's the defense attorney's role to step in. Whether it's at the preliminary hearing or during the trial, the defense attorney must file a motion in limine to block the prosecutor from using these offenses against their client. This is a crucial step in the defense strategy.
The prosecutors are attempting to influence the jury's perception of the defendant, aiming to evoke feelings of disgust, anger, and prejudice and inflame their emotions. This strategic move is designed to increase the likelihood that the jury will find the defendant guilty of the charges they're facing.
A jury instruction says you can consider that prior case or cases if the prosecutors have proved those cases by a preponderance of the evidence. So, in other words, 51% is just one of the factors you're considering in deciding whether the person is innocent or guilty.
California Evidence Codes 1101 and 1108
Those cases, or that case alone — the California Evidence Code 1101 or 1108 — cannot be used to find the person guilty. They can't just say, well, he was guilty of this, so he's guilty of the other thing.
They must have independent evidence that meets all the elements of the crime, and they must find the person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a conviction in the case.
Experienced legal representation is crucial in cases involving prior sex-related offenses. When presented with this kind of evidence, the jury often becomes more inclined to find the defendant guilty. In my twenty-five years of practice, the rule was always against using a person's prior record, even in a sex crime case in Los Angeles. This underscores the need for experienced legal representation in such cases.
You couldn't use a prior sex-related offense to say that because they committed that sex offense or offense, they must have a propensity to commit the latest crime. However, Evidence Code Section 1108 has now changed that.
It directly suggests that you can consider propensity evidence. You can say, look, he did this sex crime, so he must be guilty of the other one. It makes it okay. Section 1101 always ruled and is still relevant, with certain factors that allow the prosecutors to argue to the jury in a criminal sex crime case in Los Angeles that the person used a specific joint plan and scheme to commit these prior sex offenses. We believe that the new charge is the same standard plan or strategy, and you're allowed to consider it for that purpose.
Case Examples
There are other examples. There is an intent to show the person's intent. Suppose somebody brushes a person, touches them in their private part, and then tries to claim that it was an accident or mistake.
Prosecutors can use prior cases where the person has engaged in similar conduct. They say, see, he did it before on this occasion; now look, he's doing it again. It's not an accident. It's not a mistake. He intended to touch the person privately and be convicted for it.
They can also be used to demonstrate motive and opportunity. Signature crimes are those in which the perpetrator uses the same type of signature every time they commit the crime. So, there are a lot of different ways, especially in sex crime cases, that prosecutors can get involved in these other acts.
California Evidence Code Section 352
The only balance against it is Code Section 352, which forces the Judge to weigh. On the one hand, the Judge will consider the evidence being tried to be admitted against the defendant as a prior bad act and assess its relevance and probative value.
Then, once the Judge decides how relevant it is to the case, that will be weighed against its prejudicial effect. In other words, how much is it going to inflame the jury improperly?
Some attorneys need clarification on that. They're yelling and screaming. This is horrible for my client, and the Judge is going to say, "That's precisely why it's being admitted. It does show your client has committed these types of offenses in the past and is more likely to do it again."
That's 1108 right there. It does make him look bad about a standard planner scheme. He does the same thing every time — picks the same type of victim and does the same thing. That makes him look terrible, and the Judge is going to say that's precisely why it's coming in against your client. It does make him look awful, and that is a permissible use.
It's the use of evidence that is not permissible that you're trying to argue to the Judge. This evidence can be highly prejudicial, inflaming the jury and prolonging the trial. This is usually a two-day trial, but with all the other evidence that the defendant is not even charged with, it's now going to be a two-week trial. So, that's an argument that the Judge is supposed to weigh and balance.
Blocking Damaging Evidence
Because this 1108 or 1101(b) Evidence Code Section evidence can be so damaging, it's crucial to understand its potential impact on your case. You must get out in front of the evidence, realize what it is, and get an argument together to try to block this evidence from coming in against your client.
This is something that you want to talk to your attorney about and decide whether it makes sense for you to go to trial if there's a strong possibility that this other flawed sex act evidence will come in against you. The best way to figure that out — the best way to make a decision — is to be honest about that evidence.
Look at the evidence. Talk about it and see what type of impact it's going to have if it does come in against you, and what moves can be made to try to block or defense against this evidence. Your active participation in the defense strategy can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
The problem with the 1101 and 1108 Evidence Code Section evidence in Los Angeles is that, most of the time, judges let it in, and it ends up being a trial within a trial. So, now you're trying to fight off evidence that you're not even charged with, while at the same time trying to defend yourself in an open criminal case.
That's why the prosecutors bring this evidence in. They understand the potential harm it can cause. They know how it can cause the jury to think about that evidence instead of the evidence in your case.
Retaining an Experienced Criminal Lawyer
I often see prosecutors bringing in prior evil acts in a weak case. They don't have a good chance against the person, but they've got this other evidence, and they're hoping—improperly, by the way—that this evidence is so bad, so damaging, it makes the defendant look so bad that all in all, the jury's going to say, "I don't care if they have a weak case."
This guy's a bad guy. Look at all the bad things he did. I'm going to find him guilty. That's an impermissible use of 1101, 1108 evidence, but it happens all the time in courtrooms across Los Angeles County.
Therefore, it is essential to be aware of this. You need to ensure that you hire a criminal defense attorney who knows how to handle these types of cases and can effectively advise you to achieve the best possible outcome in your Los Angeles sex crime case.
