Evidence of character in criminal cases

(1) 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 evidence, unless it is itself a fact in issue, or unless evidence has been given that he has a good character, in which case evidence that he has a bad character is admissible. (2) Where evidence of his good character is given by any (a) being on his trial for any felony not punishable with death, has been previously convicted of felony; 31 (b) being on his trial for any offence involving fraud or dishonesty punishable under the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act or the Criminal Code has been previously convicted of any offence punishable on summary or on indictment; or CAP. 98. CAP. 101. (c) being on his trial for any offence in respect of coin punishable under either of the said Acts, has been previously convicted of any offence in respect of coin, the complainant or prosecutor, or the Crown, may, in answer to the evidence of good character, give evidence of any of those previous convictions before the magistrate gives his decision, or before the jury return its verdict, in respect of the offence for which the offender is being tried. (3) In this section, the word “character” means reputation as distinguished from disposition, and evidence may be given only of general reputation, and not of particular acts by which reputation or disposition is shown.