When I was doing law, past convictions were put only before a jury when the defendant impugned the character of a prosecution witness. Don't know if that's changed. Prunella, I'm interested in those stats about the "barristers briefing defendants " and juries being hoodwinked by smartly dressed, smart talking guilty defendants. Perhaps you'd care to share your source. Oh, and for future reference , there's no "a" in definitely.