If the OP as a Plaintiff did bring up prior civil actions by this defendant to discredit him, and the defendant objected, should or would the objection be overruled or sustained by the Judge?
How many times does it need to be said to convince you that such evidence IS NOT ADMISSIBLE?! Geez!
Other than having been convicted of a felony, the only way the character of a civil litigant can be impeached is by competent testimony as to his or her reputation for truth and honesty within the community.
And even that is ONLY allowed where the truth of the litigant's testimony is called into question as a material factual issue in the case.
Moreover and please take note, testimony of specific instance of alleged untruthfulness on nor dishonesty on the part of the litigant (just like evidence of involvement in similar civil litigation) IS NEVER PERMITTED!
ONLY the general reputation with the community.
PLUS, the witness called for impeachment purposes MUST be able to state under oath that he or she has heard the reputation discussed by members of the community.
The distinction between testimony of specific acts or incidents and testimony as to reputation is critical in understanding this rule of evidence. And the reason is obvious. Otherwise, the court (like retrying every other lawsuit) would have to entertain evidence of each alleged incident and the world would end in the meantime.
