Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Explains The Character Evidence Rules
James S. Bell, PC James S. Bell, PC
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 Published On Jun 10, 2019

(855) 337-6836 -- https://jamesbellpc.com/practice-area... In this short video, defense lawyer James S. Bell explains character evidence in a Federal criminal case. This goes to a defendant's honesty, integrity, veracity and fact that he/she is a law-abiding citizen. In certain instances the Court can instruct the jury to consider the defendant's evidence of good character to be used in the decision-making process.

If you have been charged a Federal crime anywhere in the United States then you likely need legal counsel with experience in these Federal matters. You can be fined and imprisoned with these charges.

Here is more about "Rule 404. Character Evidence; Crimes or Other Acts": https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre...

(a) Character Evidence.

(1) Prohibited Uses. Evidence of a person’s character or character trait is not admissible to prove that on a particular occasion the person acted in accordance with the character or trait.

(2) Exceptions for a Defendant or Victim in a Criminal Case. The following exceptions apply in a criminal case:

(A) a defendant may offer evidence of the defendant’s pertinent trait, and if the evidence is admitted, the prosecutor may offer evidence to rebut it;

(B) subject to the limitations in Rule 412, a defendant may offer evidence of an alleged victim’s pertinent trait, and if the evidence is admitted, the prosecutor may:

(i) offer evidence to rebut it; and

(ii) offer evidence of the defendant’s same trait; and

(C) in a homicide case, the prosecutor may offer evidence of the alleged victim’s trait of peacefulness to rebut evidence that the victim was the first aggressor.

(3) Exceptions for a Witness. Evidence of a witness’s character may be admitted under Rules 607, 608, and 609.

(b) Crimes, Wrongs, or Other Acts.

(1) Prohibited Uses. Evidence of a crime, wrong, or other act is not admissible to prove a person’s character in order to show that on a particular occasion the person acted in accordance with the character.

(2) Permitted Uses; Notice in a Criminal Case. This evidence may be admissible for another purpose, such as proving motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or lack of accident. On request by a defendant in a criminal case, the prosecutor must:

(A) provide reasonable notice of the general nature of any such evidence that the prosecutor intends to offer at trial; and

(B) do so before trial — or during trial if the court, for good cause, excuses lack of pretrial notice.


If you need legal defense counsel for any kinds of Federal crimes then contact James S. Bell, PC regardless of where you are in the United States. Phone number is toll-free (855) 337-6836 or you may visit the website listed above.

One of the offices where you may meet James is in Dallas, Texas:

2808 Cole Avenue
Suite 1000
Dallas, TX 75204
(855) 337-6836
or
(214) 668-9000

DISCLAIMER This message may be perceived as attorney advertising in your jurisdiction. Past results do not guarantee favorable outcomes. This video does not constitute an attorney-client relationship between you or any audience and James S. Bell, PC. For more information, contact us today.

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