Legal Definitions - character witness

A character witness is an individual who provides testimony in court about another person's general reputation or specific character traits, rather than about the direct facts of the case itself. Their role is to offer insight into a person's nature, such as their honesty, peacefulness, or truthfulness, based on their personal knowledge or the person's standing in the community.

This type of testimony is most commonly seen in criminal trials, where it might be used to suggest that a defendant's good character makes it less likely they committed the alleged crime, or to challenge the credibility of another witness by testifying about their reputation for dishonesty. For a character witness to testify, they must have sufficient personal acquaintance or direct contact with the individual whose character is being discussed. The court's rules of evidence strictly govern when and how such testimony can be presented.

• Example 1: Supporting a Defendant's Character

  Imagine a case where a person is accused of embezzlement from their workplace. To counter the accusation, the defense might call a character witness, such as the defendant's long-time community volunteer coordinator. This coordinator could testify that the defendant has a strong reputation for integrity and trustworthiness within their volunteer group, always handling funds responsibly and being known for their honesty. This testimony doesn't address whether the embezzlement occurred, but rather aims to show the jury that the defendant's established character traits make the accusation seem out of character.

• Example 2: Challenging Another Witness's Credibility

  Consider a trial for a serious assault where the prosecution relies heavily on the testimony of a single eyewitness. The defense might introduce a character witness who is a former colleague of that eyewitness. This former colleague could testify that the eyewitness has a known reputation in their professional circle for being untruthful or prone to exaggeration, particularly when under pressure. Here, the character witness isn't speaking about the defendant's actions, but rather about the credibility of another witness, helping the jury evaluate how much weight to give that eyewitness's account.