Character Evidence

What is Character Evidence?

Correctly defined as evidence of a person's character in the community based on reputation. When character evidence is used to try and prove that a person acted in a particular way on a particular occasion based on the character, prior bad acts, habits or disposition of that person, Fed.R.Evid. 404 maps out its permissible and prohibited uses.

Further Reading

For more detailed information, see our related Evidence terms:

• Specific Prior Conduct
• Probative Value
• Habit or Routine Practice
• Weight of Evidence
• Standard of Proof