Page 393 - Magistrates Conference 2019

In criminal proceedings, the hearsay rule and tendency rule do not prevent the admission or use
of evidence of an opinion about an accused adduced by some other accused. 202

Where evidence of an opinion as mentioned in subsection (1) 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 evidence should not be accepted. 203

Subject to this section, an accused may not be cross-examined as to a matter that is relevant only

to the credibility of the accused unless the court gives leave. 204

Leave shall not be given for cross-examination by the prosecutor as to any other matter that is

relevant only to the credibility of the accused unless:

(a) evidence has been adduced by the accused that tends to prove that the accused is, either

generally or in a particular respect, a person of good character; or

(b) evidence has been admitted that (i) was given by the accused, (ii) tends to prove that a

witness called by the prosecutor has a tendency to be untruthful, and (iii) was adduced solely or
mainly to impugn the credibility of that witness. 205

A reference in subsection (4) to evidence does not include a reference to evidence of conduct

(a) in the events in relation to which; or

(b) in relation to the investigation of the offence for which, the accused is being prosecuted. 206

Belize

Good Character

In criminal causes or matters, the fact that the defendant or the accused person, as the case may
be, has a good character may be proved, but the fact that he has a bad character is inadmissible in

202 Barbados – Evidence Act Cap. 121, section 89(1)
203 Barbados – Evidence Act Cap. 121, section 89(2)
204 Barbados – Evidence Act Cap. 121, section 95(2)

205 Barbados – Evidence Act Cap. 121, section 95(4)
206 Barbados – Evidence Act Cap. 121, section 95(5)
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