United States v. Leo Clarence Lawson

56 F.3d 74 NOTICE: Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3 provides that dispositions other than opinions or orders designated for publication are not precedential and should not be cited except when relevant under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel. UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Leo Clarence LAWSON, Defendant-Appellant. No. 93-50701. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Argued and Submitted May 3, 1995. Decided May 24, 1995. Before: FLETCHER, BRUNETTI, and T.G. NELSON, Circuit Judges. 1 MEMORANDUM * 2 Leo Clarence Lawson appeals his convictions for making false claims to a Government agency and forging endorsements on Treasury checks. We affirm. A. The Prior Convictions 3 To impeach Lawson's credibility, the district court permitted the government to introduce evidence of Lawson's 1973 and 1979 felony convictions. Rule 609(b) of the Federal Rules of Evidence provides that evidence of a conviction that occurred more than ten years ago is not admissible to impeach a witness's credibility unless the district court determines that the probative value of the conviction substantially outweighs it prejudicial effect. The district court…