Character Evidence not generally admissible

Character is defined to be the possession by a person of certain

qualities of mind or morals, distinguishing him from th others
Reputation Opinion of others about a certain person.
Ways of Proving character
1. Personal opinion
2. Reputation in the community is admissible.
Exceptions
1. Criminal Case
Notes
Character offered ought to be a trait germane in kind to the act
charged.
Ex
1. Charged with rape Character for chastity
2.Charged with assault Character for peaceableness or violence
3. Charged with embezzledment - Character of honesty
At what time and place should the character of the accused be
confined?
Answer: The character proved must be character prior to the time of
the commission of the offense.
Character may itself be the fact in issue. In numerous offenses against
social morality as defined by the criminal law, the character of a
person may be an element in the offense
Ex

1. The offense of keeping a house for prostitution or for gambling will

depend upon the character and habits of the inmates
2. The offense of seducing a woman may involve the character of the
woman as chaste or unchaste.
Opinion of Ordinary Witnesses