Page 392 - Magistrates Conference 2019

A person charged and called as a witness in pursuance of this act shall not be asked, and if asked,
shall not be required to answer, any question tending to show that he has committed, or been

convicted of, or charged with, any offence other than that wherewith he is then charged, or is of
bad character, unless:

(i) the proof that he has committed or been convicted of such other office is admissible
evidence to show that he is guilty of the offence with which he is then charged;

(ii) he has personally or by his advocate asked questions of the witnesses for the

prosecution with a view to establish his own good character, or has given evidence of
his good character or the nature or conduct of his defence is such as to involve

imputations on the character of the prosecutor of the witnesses for the prosecution, or
(iii) he has given evidence against any other person charged with the same offence. 198

Barbados

Good Character

The hearsay rule, the opinion rule and the tendency rule do not accused prevent the admission or

use of evidence adduced by an accused that tends to prove that the defendant is, either generally

or in a particular respect, a person of good character. 199

Where evidence that tends to prove that the accused is generally a person of good character and
the tendency rule do not prevent the admission or use of evidence that tends to prove that the

accused is not generally a person of good character. 200

Where evidence that tends to prove that the accused is a person of good character in a particular

respect has been admitted, the hearsay rule, the opinion rule and the tendency rule do not prevent

the admission or use of evidence that tends to prove that the accused is not a person of good
character in the respect. 201

Bad Character

198 Antigua and Barbuda – Evidence Act Cap. 155 6(e)
199 Barbados – Evidence Act Cap. 121, section 88(2)
200 Barbados – Evidence Act Cap. 121, section 88(3)
201 Barbados – Evidence Act Cap. 121, section 88(4)
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