To whom does the rule of impeaching a witness based on a crime of dishonesty apply?

The rule allowing for the impeachment of a witness based on a crime of dishonesty applies broadly to any witness who has a relevant conviction for such a crime. This means that if a witness has been convicted of a crime that reflects on their truthfulness or dishonesty, this conviction can be used to challenge the credibility of that witness during a trial.

The rationale behind this rule is rooted in the principle that the credibility of witnesses is paramount in court proceedings, and being convicted of a crime that involves dishonesty (like fraud or perjury) casts doubt on a person's reliability and truthfulness. Therefore, whether the witness is a layperson, an expert, or any other type of witness, a conviction for a crime involving dishonesty can be utilized for impeachment purposes. This application is not limited to specific categories of witnesses, thus reinforcing the broad reach of the rule.

Other options imply limitations on the types of witnesses to whom this rule applies, which do not align with the established understanding of the law regarding witness impeachment. The rule is not confined to expert witnesses or a specific subset of witnesses; it extends to anyone whose prior convictions can indicate an untruthful nature.