A witness testified in court that she saw the defendant in the park at 7 PM on the night of the incident. However, during cross-examination, the opposing counsel presented evidence that the witness had previously told law enforcement that she was unsure of the time she saw the defendant. What is the most accurate description of the significance of this prior statement?
The prior statement can be used to challenge the reliability of the witness's testimony.
The prior statement can serve the purpose of helping the judge evaluate the admissibility or reliability of the witness's testimony.
The prior statement can render the witness's testimony inadmissible.
The prior statement can affect the witness's ability to testify further in the trial.
The prior statement can be used to impeach the witness's credibility by pointing out the inconsistency between her current testimony and her earlier statement. Inconsistent statements help the jury assess whether the witness's memory or truthfulness is reliable. Importantly, the prior statement does not prevent testimony, make it inadmissible outright, nor lead to automatic conclusions—it simply raises credibility concerns, which the jury can evaluate.
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What are 'prior statements' and how are they used in court?