Prior similar acts in prosecutions for rape and child sex abuse

Conclusion

The final question raised by the Bush administration proposal is whether its adoption would inevitably undermine the general rule limiting the introduction of prior acts. Of course, the proposal is limited on its face to prior acts of rape and child sex abuse, and the arguments based on greater likelihood of repetition are by their nature applicable only to a limited class of offenses. However, the doctrine of chances argument is applicable to any offense, and it has the potential to override the traditional rules strictly limiting the introduction of prior acts evidence.