Federal Rule of Evidence 609(a)(1)
Definition
Provides that in attacking a witness’s character for truthfulness, a party may inquire about prior felony convictions of a defendant-witness in a criminal case if the evidence's probative value outweighs its prejudicial effect. The rule also provides that, subject to Rule 403, a party may inquire about prior felony convictions of a witness in a civil case or a nondefendant-witness in a criminal case.