Rule 607. Who May Impeach
The credibility of a witness may be attacked by any party, including the party calling the witness.
Note:
This rule is identical to the federal rule. However, it is contrary to the former law in this State that a party must vouch for its own witness and may not impeach its witness unless the witness is declared hostile upon a showing of actual surprise and harm, or unless the party is required to call someone, such as a subscribing witness to a deed or will, as a witness. State v. Anderson, 304 S.C. 551, 406 S.E.2d 152 (1991); Hicks v. Coleman, 240 S.C. 227, 125 S.E.2d 473 (1962); White v. Southern Oil Stores, Inc., 198 S.C. 173, 17 S.E.2d 150 (1941).
Annotations Rule 607
Collateral Impeachment
"When a witness denies an act involving a matter collateral to the case in chief, the inquiring party is not permitted to introduce contradictory evidence to impeach the witness." State v. Beckham, 334 S.C. 302, 321, 513 S.E.2d 606, 615 (1999). Whether a matter is collateral to the issues involved is...
