Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/529bv.pdf
Page Number: 1176.0

Date/Time: 11-02-00 08:45:59
Job: 529RUL

Unit: U3EV

Pagination Table: RULES1

1194

RULES OF EVIDENCE

Rule 404. Character evidence not admissible to prove con-

duct; exceptions; other crimes.

(a) Character evidence generally.—Evidence of a person’s
character or a trait of character is not admissible for the
purpose of proving action in conformity therewith on a par-
ticular occasion, except:

(1) Character of accused.—Evidence of a pertinent
trait of character offered by an accused, or by the prose-
cution to rebut the same, or if evidence of a trait of char-
acter of the alleged victim of the crime is offered by an
accused and admitted under Rule 404(a)(2), evidence of
the same trait of character of the accused offered by
the prosecution;

(2) Character of alleged victim.—Evidence of a perti-
nent trait of character of the alleged victim of the crime
offered by an accused, or by the prosecution to rebut the
same, or evidence of a character trait of peacefulness of
the alleged victim offered by the prosecution in a homi-
cide case to rebut evidence that the alleged victim was
the ﬁrst aggressor;

(3) Character of witness.—Evidence of the character

of a witness, as provided in Rules 607, 608, and 609.

(b) Other crimes, wrongs, or acts.—Evidence of other
crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the charac-
ter of a person in order to show action in conformity there-
It may, however, be admissible for other purposes,
with.
such as proof of motive, opportunity,
intent, preparation,
plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident,
provided that upon request by the accused, the prosecution
in a criminal case shall provide reasonable notice in advance
of trial, or during trial if the court excuses pretrial notice on
good cause shown, of the general nature of any such evidence
it intends to introduce at trial.

Rule 701. Opinion testimony by lay witnesses.

If the witness is not testifying as an expert, the witness’
testimony in the form of opinions or inferences is limited to