Impeachment of Witness — Prior Conviction (F.R.E. 609) refers to the process of discrediting a witness by introducing evidence that the witness has been convicted of a crime. This type of impeachment is governed by the Federal Rules of Evidence (F.R.E.) 609, which states that a witness may be impeached by evidence that the witness has been convicted of a crime if the crime was punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year under the law under which the witness was convicted. There are two types of impeachment of witness — prior conviction under F.R.E. 609: direct and indirect. Direct impeachment involves introducing the witness's actual criminal record in evidence, whereas indirect impeachment involves questioning the witness about the prior conviction.