CALIFORNIA EVIDENCE: CIVIL AND CRIMINAL
...Character and Reputation Evidence
......In General
10 Cards On This Topic:
  • Use of character evidence.
  • Person's general character reputation not made inadmissible by hearsay rule.
  • Except as permitted by statute, evidence of specific acts of misconduct is improper and inadmissible in family law matters.
  • Reputation of a person's character among associates or in the community not excluded by hearsay rule in federal courts.
  • Admitting testimony that days before murder D was watching a violent, gory X-rated videotape showing the stabbing and cutting up of a woman would have been harmless error.
  • Specific instances of conduct admissible to attack W credibility [1101(c)]; DA may cross-examine defense character W about acts inconsistent with testimony where good faith belief acts occurred.
  • No misconduct in DA asking D's sister re hand signs D made in photo, where he never asked her whether D was making gang signs and word 'gang' never said at trial.
  • Court’s and DA’s inquiries about hypothetical prior bad acts re jurors’ views on death penalty did not prejudicially inform jury D himself had committed prior bad acts.
  • Reputation defined; need not be based upon personal observations.
  • Fact that D's prior threats were not prosecuted showed V's fear of D, and was probative on the issue of V's trial credibility and fear elements of the criminal threat count—priors properly admitted under EC §1108, EC §1101 and EC §352.