Can a defendant be impeached with a juvenile conviction to show untruthfulness?

A defendant cannot be impeached with a juvenile conviction to show untruthfulness because juvenile records are generally considered to be confidential and are shielded from public disclosure. The law often treats juvenile offenders differently from adults, as the focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Consequently, using juvenile convictions in court implicates due process and privacy concerns, which is why they are typically not admissible for impeachment purposes.

In most jurisdictions, the rationale behind this principle is to encourage rehabilitation and allow juveniles the opportunity to move past their mistakes without the lifelong stigma that an adult conviction might carry. Because of this policy consideration, juvenile convictions are not admissible, regardless of the nature of the offense or whether it involved violence. This emphasizes the legal system's recognition of the difference between juvenile and adult legal standards.