State v. Willis

Court of Appeals of Washington

State v. Willis

480 P.2d 221, 4 Wash. App. 184, 1971 Wash. App. LEXIS 1310

CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington

DecidedFebruary 1, 1971

DocketNo. 406-1

StatusPublished

This text of 480 P.2d 221 (State v. Willis) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

State v. Willis, 480 P.2d 221, 4 Wash. App. 184, 1971 Wash. App. LEXIS 1310 (Wash. Ct. App. 1971).

Pincite

Opinion

Per Curiam.

Robert Willis was charged with reckless driving. His trial, without a jury, resulted in a finding of guilt.

One question is presented. In a criminal trial, without jury, may arrests for other offenses disposed of by forfeiture of bail be considered in judging a defendant’s credibility? The trial judge believed that such evidence should be considered.

[185]*185We disagree. Only convictions of other crimes may be considered as affecting a criminal defendant’s credibility. RCW 5.60.040; RCW 10.52.030; State v. McVeigh, 35 Wn.2d 493, 214 P.2d 165 (1950). A decision to forfeit bail is not tantamount to an admission of guilt.

Reversed and remanded for a new trial.

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