Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

Propensity evidence is used to indicate:

1. A person has never committed a crime

2. A person engaged in prior good behavior

3. A person may be more likely to engage in bad behavior

4. A person is innocent until proven guilty

The correct answer is: A person may be more likely to engage in bad behavior

Propensity evidence refers to information about a person's previous behavior or character traits that suggest they may be more likely to engage in certain types of conduct, particularly the behavior in question. In legal contexts, this type of evidence can be used to suggest that an individual has a pattern or tendency towards a specific action, which in this case involves the potential for bad behavior. This type of evidence is often discussed in terms of its relevance and admissibility in court, where it can serve to establish a pattern or likelihood of behavior based on past actions. For instance, if a person has a history of similar offenses, that history can be presented as propensity evidence to support the argument that they may repeat such behavior in the future. The other options present incorrect interpretations of what propensity evidence implies. Stating that a person has never committed a crime or engaged in prior good behavior (the first two options) does not align with the concept of propensity, as it does not suggest any likelihood of future actions based on past conduct. The notion of a person being innocent until proven guilty is a fundamental legal principle concerning burden of proof and does not relate to the concept of propensity evidence, which deals specifically with prior actions or tendencies. Understanding propensity evidence is crucial for comprehending its role in