54. [ Previous bad character not relevant, except in reply. [Substituted by Act 3 of 1891, Section 6, for the original section.]
In criminal proceedings the fact that the accused person has a bad character is irrelevant, unless evidence has been given that he has a good character, in which case it becomes relevant.Explanation 1. - This section does not apply to cases in which the bad character of any person is itself a fact in issue.Explanation 2. - A previous conviction is relevant as evidence of bad character.]
