Kansas Statutes Annotated

K.S.A. § 60-421 (2026)

Limitations on evidence of conviction of crime as affecting credibility

✓ current as of May 2026
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60-421. Limitations on evidence of conviction of crime as affecting credibility. Evidence of the conviction of a witness for a crime not involving dishonesty or false statement shall be inadmissible for the purpose of impairing his or her credibility. If the witness be the accused in a criminal proceeding, no evidence of his or her conviction of a crime shall be admissible for the sole purpose of impairing his or her credibility unless the witness has first introduced evidence admissible solely for the purpose of supporting his or her credibility.

History: L. 1963, ch. 303, 60-421; January 1, 1964.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 124 cases (11 in the last 5 years), 1965–2026 · leading case: State v. Sampson, 301 P.3d 276 (Kan. 2013).
State v. Sampson, 301 P.3d 276 (Kan. 2013). · cites it 16× “Finally, we hold the trial court properly applied K.S.A. 60-421 and K.S.A. 60-422 in refusing to admit evidence of an accomplice’s conviction.”
State v. Rice, 932 P.2d 981 (Kan. 1997). · cites it 10× “If the witness be the accused in a criminal proceeding, no evidence of his or her conviction of a crime shall be admissible for the sole purpose of impairing his or her credibility unless the witness has first introduced evidence admissible solely for the purpose of supporting…”
State v. Martis, 83 P.3d 1216 (Kan. 2004). · cites it 8× “60-420 provides in this regard: “Subject to K.S.A. 60-421 and 60-422, for the purpose of impairing or supporting the credibility of a witness, any party including the.”
State v. Lowery, 427 P.3d 865 (Kan. 2018). · cites it 3× “Lowery argues all the statements are impermissible under K.S.A. 60-421 and K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 60-455.”
State v. Atkinson, 80 P.3d 1143 (Kan. 2003). · cites it 8× “60-420 provides: "Subject to K.S.A. 60-421 and 60-422, for the purpose of impairing or supporting the credibility of a witness, any party including the party calling the witness may examine the witness and introduce extrinsic evidence concerning any conduct by him or her and any…”
State v. Bloom, 44 P.3d 305 (Kan. 2002). · cites it 5× “Bloom alleges that prohibiting his questioning of Brenda on all 26 counts of fraud denied him» due process and the right to a fair trial and that his constitutional right to confront witnesses was denied.”
State v. Scott, 177 P.3d 972 (Kan. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 9× “60-420, which allows a party to attack or support the credibility of a witness, states: “Subject to K.S.A. 60-421 and 60-422, for the purpose of impairing or supporting the credibility of a witness, any party including the party calling the witness may examine the witness and…”
State v. Burton, 676 P.2d 975 (Wash. 1984). · cites it 6× “Moreover, even where impeachment by prior conviction was permitted, only convictions for crimes involving dishonesty or false statement were admissible.”
State v. Quick, 621 P.2d 997 (Kan. 1981). · cites it 10× “K.S.A. 60-421 and 60-447. State v. Bright, 218 Kan.”
State v. Thompkins, 952 P.2d 1332 (Kan. 1998). · cites it 6× “The defendant contended this was improper rebuttal testimony in violation of K.S.A. 60-421 (limitations on evidence of conviction of crime as affecting credibility) and 60-455.”
Tucker v. Lower, 434 P.2d 320 (Kan. 1967). · cites it 8× “" K.S.A. 60-421 provides: "Evidence of the conviction of a witness for a crime not involving dishonesty or false statement shall be inadmissible for the purpose of impairing his credibility.”
State v. Woolverton, 159 P.3d 985 (Kan. 2007). · cites it 2× “If the witness be the accused in a criminal proceeding, no evidence of his or her conviction of a crime shall be admissible for the sole purpose of impairing his or her credibility unless the witness has first introduced evidence admissible solely for the purpose of supporting…”
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