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4 Wash. App. 184

State v. Willis

Court of Appeals of Washington

Decided February 1, 1971

Court of Appeals of Washington · decided 1971-02-01

Relies on 35 Wash. 2d 493 - State v. McVeigh

Decided 1971-02-01

Per Curiam.

¶1Robert Willis was charged with reckless driving. His trial, without a jury, resulted in a finding of guilt.

¶2One question is presented. In a criminal trial, without jury, may arrests for other offenses disposed of by forfeiture of bail be considered in judging a defendant’s credibility? The trial judge believed that such evidence should be considered.

¶3*185We disagree. Only convictions of other crimes may be considered as affecting a criminal defendant’s credibility. RCW 5.60.040; RCW 10.52.030; State v. McVeigh, 35 Wn.2d 493, 214 P.2d 165 (1950). A decision to forfeit bail is not tantamount to an admission of guilt.

¶4Reversed and remanded for a new trial.

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