Rule 2:610.BIAS OR PREJUDICE OF A WITNESS

Rule 2:610 recognizes bias as its own impeachment ground, separate from reputation evidence, prior convictions, or prior inconsistent statements. A witness may be impeached by a showing that the witness is biased for or prejudiced against a party — a financial interest in the outcome, a personal relationship with a party, or hostility toward a party can all fall within this ground, though the rule’s text states the standard generally rather than listing specific sources of bias.

Unlike the general bar on extrinsic proof of specific conduct in Rule 2:608(b), Rule 2:610 expressly permits extrinsic evidence of bias or prejudice. A party is not confined to cross-examining the witness about the bias and taking whatever answer comes back — the party may bring in independent evidence to establish it.

Because bias impeachment often overlaps with other rules in this article — Rule 2:607 lists bias among its recognized impeachment methods, and a witness’s prior statement may become admissible under Rule 2:801(d)(2)(B) to rebut a bias-based attack — Rule 2:610 works as part of the broader impeachment scheme rather than as an isolated provision.