United States v. Boye

150 F.2d 595 (D.C. 1945)

Facts

D was convicted in municipal court of obtaining money by false pretenses. During the trial, he was cross-examined about previous convictions on other bad check charges and was allowed to say in explanation that those charges were all due to a mistake of his secretary. The court, however, did not allow him to explain a previous conviction for embezzlement. D was convicted and appealed. The Municipal Court of Appeals overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial. The State appealed.