§ 4-5. Evidence of Other Crimes, Wrongs or Acts Inadmissible to Prove Character; Admissible for Other Purposes; Specific Instances of Conduct

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4-5. Evidence of Other Crimes, Wrongs or Acts Inadmissible to Prove Character; Admissible for Other Purposes; Specific Instances of Conduct

(a) Evidence of other crimes, wrongs or acts inadmissible to prove character. Evidence of other crimes, wrongs or acts of a person is inadmissible to prove the bad character or criminal tendencies of that person.

(b) When evidence of other crimes, wrongs or acts is admissible. Evidence of other crimes, wrongs or acts of a person is admissible for purposes other than those specified in subsection (a), such as to prove intent, identity, malice, motive, common plan or scheme, absence of mistake or accident, knowledge, a system of criminal activity, or an element of the crime, or to corroborate crucial prosecution testimony.

(c) Specific instances of conduct when character in issue. In cases in which character or a trait of character of a person in relation to a charge, claim or defense is in issue, proof shall be made by evidence of specific instances of the person's conduct.