Section 83 - Character traits affecting credibility

(1) Subject to subsection (2), evidence of good character to support the credibility of a witness is not admissible unless evidence which impugns the good character of the witness has been admitted for the purpose of attacking the credibility of the witness.

(2) An accused in a criminal action may introduce evidence of good character to support the credibility of the accused, and unless the accused first introduces that evidence, the prosecution may not attack the credibility of the accused by introducing evidence, including evidence of a previous conviction, to impugn the good character of the accused.

(3) A witness may give an opinion of the character of another witness and may state whether or not the first witness would believe the statement of the other witness in question.

(4) For the purposes of attacking or supporting the credibility of a witness, evidence of the reputation of the witness is not admissible to prove traits of the character of the witness.