§ 634.20 — Evidence of Conduct
Plain-Language Summary
In domestic abuse and certain harassment cases, the court can admit evidence of the defendant's prior bad acts against the victim to show a pattern of conduct. This allows the jury to consider the history of the relationship when evaluating the current charges.
634.20 EVIDENCE OF CONDUCT.
Evidence of domestic conduct by the accused against the victim of domestic conduct, or against other family or household members, is admissible unless the probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issue, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence. “Domestic conduct” includes, but is not limited to, evidence of domestic abuse, violation of an order for protection under section 518B.01; violation of a harassment restraining order under section 609.748; violation of a domestic abuse no contact order under section 629.75; or violation of section 609.749 or 609.79, subdivision 1. “Domestic abuse” and “family or household members” have the meanings given under section 518B.01, subdivision 2.
History:
1985 c 159 s 3; 1998 c 367 art 5 s 10; 2000 c 437 s 19; 2002 c 314 s 9; 2013 c 47 s 7; 1Sp2019 c 5 art 2 s 27
History: History: 1985 c 159 s 3; 1998 c 367 art 5 s 10; 2000 c 437 s 19; 2002 c 314 s 9; 2013 c 47 s 7; 1Sp2019 c 5 art 2 s 27