RULE 404. CHARACTER EVIDENCE NOT ADMISSIBLE TO PROVE CONDUCT, EXCEPTIONS: OTHER CRIMES
Effective Date: 3/1/1994
Obsolete Date: 3/1/2008
(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 particular occasion, except:
(1) Character of Accused. Except as otherwise provided by statute, evidence of a pertinent trait of character offered by an accused, or by the prosecution to rebut the same;
(2) Character of Victim. Evidence of a pertinent trait of character of the 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 victim offered by the prosecution in a homicide case to rebut evidence that the 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 character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. However, it may be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident, provided that 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 404 was amended, effective March 1, 1990, March 1, 1994, March 1, 2008; March 1, 2014; March 1, 2022
Character evidence is not admissible when its purpose would be to prove circumstantially how a person acted on a particular occasion. Whenever the character of a person is in issue, as in a defamation case, this exclusion does not apply.
Paragraph (a)(2) allows the accused to offer circumstantial evidence of character.Traditionally, this has been allowed, for the objection to character evidence in general is not that it has no relevancy but that its probative value, when weighed against possible prejudice, does not warrant admission. If the accused offers such evidence, the issue of prejudice is no longer a factor.
Paragraph (a)(2)(B) was amended, effective March 1, 2008, to add clarifying language on victim character evidence.
Paragraph (a)(3) provides that, in dealing with impeachment of a witness, Rules 607, 608, and 609 state the applicable rules. The present rule retains its force, and should be consulted whenever the witness is also a party whose actions are sought to be proved.
Subdivision (b) restates the general rule, but continues to provide that character evidence offered for other purposes, e.g., motive, intent, or identity, is admissible. But the mere labeling of such evidence does not automatically bring admission.
Subdivision (b) was amended, effective March 1, 1994, to follow the 1991 federal amendment, by adding a pretrial notice requirement in criminal cases. The amendment is not intended to redefine what evidence would otherwise be admissible under Rule 404(b).
Subdivision (b) was amended, effective March 1, 2022, to impose special notice requirements on the prosecution in a criminal case.
Rule 404 was amended, effective March 1, 2014, in response to the December 1, 2011, revision of the Federal Rules of Evidence. The language and organization of the rule were changed to make the rule more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. There is no intent to change any result in any ruling on evidence admissibility.
Sources: Minutes of Joint Procedure Committee of January 28, 2021, page 23; April 26-27, 2012, page 14; January 25, 2007, pages 10-11; September 28-29, 2006, pages 13-14; April 29-30, 1993, page 10; January 28-29, 1993, pages 11-12; March 24-25, 1988, page 12; December 3, 1987, page 15; April 8, 1976, pages 20, 21. Fed.R.Ev. 404; Rule 404, SBAND proposal.
STATUTES AFFECTED:
CONSIDERED: N.D.C.C. §§ 12.1-20-14, 12.1-20-15, 27-20-33, 27-20-52, 42-02-07.
CROSS REFERENCE: N.D.R.Ev. 412 (Admissibility of Alleged Victim's Sexual Behavior or Alleged Sexual Predisposition in Criminal Proceeding), N.D.R.Ev. 607 (Who May Impeach), N.D.R.Ev. 608 (Evidence of Character and Conduct of Witness), and N.D.R.Ev. 609 (Impeachment by Evidence of Conviction of Crime).