People v. Mascarenas

Opinion

THOMPSON, J.

This is an appeal from a judgment of conviction on five counts of furnishing a narcotic, codeine, to a minor in violation of Health and Safety Code section 11502. We reverse the conviction because of the trial court’s action in unduly restricting cross-examination of the only substantive witness against appellant, and in refusing evidence properly offered to cast doubt on the testimony of that witness.

Eric Serrantino, then 16 years of age, desired to become a federal narcotics agent at some future time. To pursue his interest in that career, to learn something of the law,…