CHARACTER WITNESS Meaning and
Definition
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A character witness, in legal proceedings, refers to an individual who provides testimony or evidence on behalf of a person being tried or reviewed, primarily focusing on the person's moral, ethical, and social standing. This type of witness is typically called upon to present information about the defendant's reputation, behavior, or demeanour within a particular community or social circle. The purpose of a character witness is to offer insight into the defendant's overall character, highlighting their virtues, positive qualities, and general trustworthiness.
Character witnesses are often friends, family members, colleagues, or individuals who have interacted significantly with the defendant and can provide a subjective assessment of their personal character. By testifying in court or submitting a written statement, character witnesses aim to influence the court's perception of the defendant's genuine nature, aiming to counteract negative perceptions that may have been established during the legal proceedings. They may shed light on the defendant's commitment to social responsibility, honest behavior, law-abiding nature, or other qualities that could potentially aid the court's decision-making process or influence the outcome of the case.
While character witnesses can be powerful in presenting a different perspective on the defendant's character, it is ultimately up to the court to determine the weight and credibility given to their testimony. The court evaluates the witness's credibility, reliability, and relevance in line with other evidence presented throughout the trial or hearing process.
Common Misspellings for CHARACTER WITNESS
- xharacter witness
- vharacter witness
- fharacter witness
- dharacter witness
- cgaracter witness
- cbaracter witness
- cnaracter witness
- cjaracter witness
- cuaracter witness
- cyaracter witness
- chzracter witness
- chsracter witness
- chwracter witness
- chqracter witness
- chaeacter witness
- chadacter witness
- chafacter witness
- chatacter witness
- cha5acter witness
Etymology of CHARACTER WITNESS
The word "character witness" is composed of two separate words: "character" and "witness".
The term "character" originates from the Middle English word "caractere", which came from the Old French word "caractere", ultimately derived from the Latin word "character". In Latin, "character" referred to a distinctive mark or sign. Over time, the meaning of "character" extended to include a person's moral or ethical qualities.
The word "witness" comes from the Middle English word "witnesse", which came from the Old English word "witnes", meaning "knowledge, testimony". It was a combination of "wit", meaning "knowledge" or "understanding", and "-nes", a suffix used to form nouns.
Therefore, when combined, "character witness" refers to a person who testifies or provides evidence regarding another individual's moral or ethical qualities in a legal or formal setting.
Similar spelling words for CHARACTER WITNESS
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