GEORGIA CRIMINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS (G.C.J.I. 2003)

GA  3.15.10 Character of Defendant; Good

When evidence of the good character of the defendant is offered, the jury has the duty to take that testimony, with all other evidence in the case, in determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant. Good character is a positive, substantive fact and may be sufficient to produce in the minds of a jury a reasonable doubt about the guilt of the defendant. You have the duty to take any evidence of general good character with all of the other evidence in the case, and, if in doing so, you should entertain a reasonable doubt about the guilt of the defendant, it would be your duty to acquit. However, if you should believe that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, you would be authorized to convict, despite the evidence about general good character.

 

Nunnally v. State, 235 Ga. 693, 704(8) (1975)

David v. State, 143 Ga. App. 500 (1977)

Crass v. State, 150 Ga. App. 374 (1979)

Morrow v. State, 166 Ga. App. 883(3) (1983)