After a prior inconsistent statement, which is a permissible method of rehabilitation?

After a prior inconsistent statement, which is a permissible method of rehabilitation?

• A. Bolstering with extrinsic evidence
• B. Using a prior consistent statement
• C. Prohibiting any further questions about credibility
• D. Introducing new witnesses to support credibility

Answer: (B)

After credibility has been challenged, a witness can be rehabilitated by showing a prior consistent statement that the witness made before the allegedly inconsistent statement or before any motive to fabricate arose. This demonstrates a history of truthfulness and helps rebut charges of recent fabrication or lying. Under the rules, when the witness testifies and is cross-examined about the prior statement, a prior consistent statement is admissible as part of credibility and, in some cases, as substantive evidence if it aligns with the current testimony. The timing matters: the consistent statement must have been made before the motive to lie or before the inconsistency occurred. This is why using a prior consistent statement is the proper method of rehabilitation. Bolstering with extrinsic evidence is not the standard approach, charging credibility questions aren’t barred, and introducing new witnesses to support credibility doesn’t align with the typical rehabilitation mechanism unless they speak to reputation or truthfulness in a recognized way.

After credibility has been challenged, a witness can be rehabilitated by showing a prior consistent statement that the witness made before the allegedly inconsistent statement or before any motive to fabricate arose. This demonstrates a history of truthfulness and helps rebut charges of recent fabrication or lying. Under the rules, when the witness testifies and is cross-examined about the prior statement, a prior consistent statement is admissible as part of credibility and, in some cases, as substantive evidence if it aligns with the current testimony. The timing matters: the consistent statement must have been made before the motive to lie or before the inconsistency occurred.

This is why using a prior consistent statement is the proper method of rehabilitation. Bolstering with extrinsic evidence is not the standard approach, charging credibility questions aren’t barred, and introducing new witnesses to support credibility doesn’t align with the typical rehabilitation mechanism unless they speak to reputation or truthfulness in a recognized way.