In a civil trial for battery, the plaintiff's key witness is his lifelong best friend. The witness testifies that he saw the defendant punch the plaintiff without provocation. On cross-examination, the defense attorney seeks to ask the witness about the nature and duration of his friendship with the plaintiff. The plaintiff's attorney objects, arguing the question is irrelevant. How is the court most likely to rule on the objection?
Sustained, because the witness's friendship with the plaintiff constitutes improper character evidence.
Overruled, because any question is permitted on cross-examination.
Sustained, because the witness's personal life is not relevant to the facts of the case.
Overruled, because the friendship is relevant to show the witness's potential bias.
The court should overrule the objection. A witness's relationship with a party is always relevant to show potential bias or prejudice, which in turn affects the witness's credibility. Federal Rule of Evidence 607 allows any party to attack a witness's credibility, and demonstrating bias is a well-established method of impeachment. While a close friendship does not render a witness incompetent, the jury is entitled to know about the relationship to properly weigh the testimony. The question is not considered improper character evidence, nor is it barred as irrelevant, because bias is always a relevant issue for the jury to consider.
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