In a jury trial can your past convictions bre brought up in the guilt or innocence fase?
Answers:
Under the federal rules of evidence and most state rules of evidence they may be admitted but to prove perpensity. E.g. the defendant committed robbery in the past so he more likely committed robbery this time.
They can be used to impeach the crediblity of a defendant if the defendant takes the stand. This is one of the most common reasons defendants don't testify.
Also they can be used for other purposes such as motive, intent or absense of mistake. For example if the defendant claims they did not know the substance they purchased was not cocaine but they claim they thought it was flour, past convictions of possession of cocaine could be introduced to prove the defendant knows what cocaine is.
They can be brought up but they won't let it influence the juries decision
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