Character Evidence
Introduction
Character evidence is evidence that invites the trier of fact to make an inference that the person is of a certain "type", thus inferring that the person acted consistently with that type of character. Character evidence can often become prejudicial to the accused and so must be taken with care.
The general exclusionary rule for character evidence is on the basis that character evidence is not probative of anything.[1]
- Self-Serving Evidence
Self-serving character evidence presented to simply bolster the credibility and reliability of a witness is of little value and is in danger of being fabricated.[2]
- ↑ R v Vant, 2015 ONCA 481 (CanLII), 324 CCC (3d) 109, per Watt JA, at para 64 ("The principal reason that underlies this general exclusionary rule is that the evidence lacks probative value. Character traits, after all, are more dynamic than static, and vary over time and across situations and individuals.")
- ↑
R v P(G), 1996 CanLII 420 (ON CA), 112 CCC (3d) 263, per Rosenberg JA
R v J(FE), 1989 CanLII 7131 (ON CA), 53 CCC (3d) 64, per Galligan JA