Note: Specimen jury instructions serve as a template that trial judges must adapt to the particular circumstances of each trial, not simply read out in whole. They are not designed to be delivered "as-is." More information about the use of specimen instructions is found in the Preface and A Note to Users, which you can find here.
[1]You have heard that (NOW) has previously been convicted of a criminal offence. You may use that conviction to help you decide how much or little of (NOW)’s evidence you will believe or rely on.
[2]Some convictions, for example ones that involve dishonesty, may be more significant than others. As well, an old conviction may be less important than a more recent one.
[3]A previous conviction does not necessarily make the evidence of (NOW) unbelievable or unreliable. It is only one of many factors for you to consider in your assessment of (NOW)’s testimony.
[76]Where the prior convictions of a witness are tendered to prove the witness’s disposition in support of a defence that a third party (the witness) committed the offence, Final 11.3 should be given.