Under which statute is bad character evidence defined?

The correct option is the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which sets out the legal framework for the admissibility of bad character evidence in criminal proceedings. This statute is significant as it outlines how evidence relating to a person's previous criminal behavior may be introduced in court to support or undermine a party's case. Under this Act, the court has discretion regarding whether to admit such evidence, depending on factors like relevance and the potential for prejudicing the jury.

While other statutes, such as the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, address related legal matters, they do not specifically define or regulate bad character evidence in the same comprehensive manner as the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Similarly, the Legal Evidence Act 1995 is more focused on general evidence law rather than specifically outlining rules regarding bad character.

Understanding the Criminal Justice Act 2003 is crucial for those involved in criminal law, as it clarifies the conditions under which bad character evidence can be considered, impacting strategies for both prosecution and defense.