Section 11.1 Character Evidence Generally

• Library: Evidence 2017

I. (§11.1) Character Evidence Generally

“Character” has been defined as a general description of a person’s disposition or of a particular trait of a person’s disposition, such as a disposition toward honesty or peacefulness. See 2 McCormick on Evidence § 195 (Kenneth S. Broun, gen. ed., 7^th ed. 2013). As a general rule, evidence of a person’s character or even a single trait of a person’s character is not admissible for the purpose of proving that the person acted in conformity with that character on a particular occasion. See Haynam v. Laclede Elec. Coop., Inc., 827 S.W.2d 200, 205–06 (Mo. banc 1992); State v. Harris, 870 S.W.2d 798, 809–10 (Mo. banc 1994). Courts often explain their reasons for the exclusion of this type of evidence as follows:

· It has doubtful relevancy to whether the defendant actually...