“Character Witness” is a legal term referring to a person who testifies about the moral qualities or good reputation of someone involved in a legal case. This testimony aims to provide insight into the individual’s character and integrity, often influencing the court’s perception of the defendant or plaintiff. Character witnesses typically share personal anecdotes or observations to support their claims, potentially affecting the outcome of the trial.
n. a person who testifies in a trial on behalf of a person (usually a criminal defendant) as to that person’s good ethical qualities and morality, both based on the personal knowledge of the witness and the person’s reputation in the community. Such testimony is primarily relevant when the party’s honesty or morality is an issue, particularly in most criminal cases and civil cases such as fraud.
A character witness is a person who provides testimony or evidence about the moral character, reputation, and behaviour of an individual involved in a legal proceeding. This testimony is typically used to support the credibility and integrity of the individual in question. The character witness may be called upon by either the prosecution or the defence to provide their perspective on the individual’s character traits, such as honesty, trustworthiness, and law-abiding behaviour. The purpose of a character witness is to influence the court’s perception of the individual’s character and potentially impact the outcome of the legal proceeding.
A character witness is someone who can provide testimony about a person’s good moral character and reputation in a legal proceeding.
You may need a character witness in a variety of legal proceedings, such as criminal trials, civil lawsuits, or family court cases, where the person’s character is relevant to the case.
Any individual who knows the person well and can speak to their character, such as friends, family members, colleagues, or community members, can serve as a character witness.
A character witness can testify about the person’s honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, and overall good moral character based on their personal knowledge and experiences with the person.
When choosing a character witness, it is important to select someone who has a positive and credible reputation themselves and who can provide specific examples and anecdotes to support their testimony.
Yes, like any other witness, a character witness can be cross-examined by the opposing party’s attorney to challenge their testimony and credibility.
Yes, a character witness can be subpoenaed to testify in court if their testimony is deemed necessary for the case.
In some cases, a character witness may be entitled to receive reimbursement for their time and expenses related to testifying, but they cannot be paid for their testimony itself.
It is important to thoroughly prepare a character witness for their testimony by reviewing the relevant facts and details of the case, discussing potential questions and concerns, and ensuring they understand their role and responsibilities as a witness.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 11th April, 2024.
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