Rule 608. Evidence of character and conduct of witness.
Rule 608. Evidence of character and conduct ofwitness.
(a) Opinion and reputation evidence of character. Thecredibility of a witness may be attacked or supported by evidence in the formof reputation or opinion as provided in Rule 405(a), but subject to theselimitations: (1) the evidence may refer only to character for truthfulness oruntruthfulness, and (2) evidence of truthful character is admissible only afterthe character of the witness for truthfulness has been attacked by opinion orreputation evidence or otherwise.
(b) Specific instances of conduct. Specific instances of theconduct of a witness, for the purpose of attacking or supporting hiscredibility, other than conviction of crime as provided in Rule 609, may not beproved by extrinsic evidence. They may, however, in the discretion of thecourt, if probative of truthfulness or untruthfulness, be inquired into oncross‑examination of the witness (1) concerning his character fortruthfulness or untruthfulness, or (2) concerning the character fortruthfulness or untruthfulness of another witness as to which character thewitness being cross‑examined has testified.
The giving of testimony, whether by an accused or by any other witness,does not operate as a waiver of his privilege against self‑incriminationwhen examined with respect to matters which relate only to credibility. (1983, c. 701, s. 1.)