People v. Martinez

1 Citing case

  1. People v. Adams

    259 Ill. App. 3d 995 (Ill. App. Ct. 1993)   Cited 12 times
    Reviewing court found that the defendant should have been allowed to question an officer about his illegal drug use, suspension, and pending civil suit against him

    ( People v. Brouder (1988), 168 Ill. App.3d 938, 523 N.E.2d 100.) Cross-examination for purposes of impeaching a witness as to his interest, bias, or motive is a matter of right and is subject only to the trial court's discretion to preclude repetitive or unduly harassing questioning. ( People v. Martinez (1983), 120 Ill. App.3d 305, 458 N.E.2d 104; see also People v. Brouder, 168 Ill. App.3d 938, 523 N.E.2d 100.) Although the trial court has no discretion to prohibit such impeachment entirely, it can control the extent of the cross-examination, assuming a proper subject matter. ( People v. Martinez, 120 Ill. App.3d 305, 458 N.E.2d 104.) "[E]vidence showing bias must be direct and positive, not remote and uncertain."