New York Law (NYLE) Practice Exam

When can a defendant present a character witness in court?

1. When seeking to establish legitimacy of a plea

2. In situations where their character is directly relevant

3. During the preliminary motions phase

4. Only if the judge allows such evidence

The correct answer is: In situations where their character is directly relevant

A defendant can present a character witness in court when their character is directly relevant to the case at hand. This typically occurs in situations where the defendant's character trait is pertinent to a key issue, such as in a criminal trial where a character witness may help to establish the defendant's propensity for law-abiding behavior, thereby countering allegations of criminal conduct. In criminal cases, character evidence is generally not admissible to prove conduct in conformity with a character trait that was not directly relevant. However, the defendant has the right to introduce evidence of their good character to support their claims if those traits are at issue in the case. For example, if the defendant asserts a defense that relies on their good moral character, presenting character witnesses can help to substantiate that claim. The other options do not appropriately reflect the rules regarding character witnesses. Options related to preliminary motions or the requirement for a judge to allow such evidence may not accurately capture the broader context of when character evidence can be presented in court.