Can convicted persons be reliable witness?

Answer 1

Many times, yes.

I must state here that I am not formally trained in law, but "here goes" anyway:

If the witness has ever been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty, such as embezzlement, check fraud, perjury (lying to the court), and false report of a felony, etc., then his testimony is unreliable. He will be torn apart by the opposing counsel. It would appear an act of desperation to call such a witness to the stand.

But let us suppose that the "ex-con" witness has no such offenses; but more like a misdemeanor possession charge for marijuana, or even an old felony conviction (greater than 10 years ago) not involving fraud or lack of moral turpitude. His or her testimony might be considered reliable in a court of law.

In some such cases, the judge might not even allow it to be spoken that this witness has ever been convicted of any crime. As always, it is best to get the advice of a qualified attorney in these matters.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Whether a convicted person can be considered a reliable witness depends on various factors. The credibility of their testimony may be questioned due to factors such as their criminal history, potential personal motivations or biases, and their credibility in general. However, it ultimately depends on the specific circumstances of the case and the credibility assessment made by the judge or jury.