Under FRE, which is a non-propensity purpose?

Under FRE, which is a non-propensity purpose?

• A. Proving the defendant acted in conformity with a trait on a specific occasion.
• B. Proving the defendant's knowledge of the crime.
• C. Proving the victim's bad character to show the defendant's guilt.
• D. Proving that the defendant's character is an essential element of the charge, claim, or defense.

Answer: (D)

Character evidence is generally not admissible to prove that someone acted in accordance with a trait on a particular occasion. There is a narrow exception: if the trait itself is an essential element of the charge, claim, or defense, the trait can be admitted to prove that element. That makes it a non-propensity use because the issue is at stake in the case, not simply demonstrating conduct on a specific occasion. The statement that best fits this exception is the idea that proving the defendant's character is an essential element of the charge, claim, or defense. The other options describe using character to show conduct on a particular occasion, to attack the victim’s character to prove the defendant’s guilt, or involve knowledge rather than an essential character element, which are not the allowed non-propensity scenarios.

Character evidence is generally not admissible to prove that someone acted in accordance with a trait on a particular occasion. There is a narrow exception: if the trait itself is an essential element of the charge, claim, or defense, the trait can be admitted to prove that element. That makes it a non-propensity use because the issue is at stake in the case, not simply demonstrating conduct on a specific occasion.

The statement that best fits this exception is the idea that proving the defendant's character is an essential element of the charge, claim, or defense. The other options describe using character to show conduct on a particular occasion, to attack the victim’s character to prove the defendant’s guilt, or involve knowledge rather than an essential character element, which are not the allowed non-propensity scenarios.