Nev. Rev. Stat. » NRS: CHAPTER 48 - ADMISSIBILITY GENERALLY
Nevada Revised Statutes

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 48.055 (2026)

Methods of proving character

✓ current as of July 2026
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NRS 48.055  Methods of proving character.

      1.  In all cases in which evidence of character or a trait of character of a person is admissible, proof may be made by testimony as to reputation or in the form of an opinion. On cross-examination, inquiry may be made into specific instances of conduct.

      2.  In cases in which character or a trait of character of a person is an essential element of a charge, claim or defense, proof of specific instances of the person’s conduct may be made on direct or cross-examination.

      (Added to NRS by 1971, 781; A 1979, 25)

     

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 18 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1976–2026 · leading case: Daniel v. State, 78 P.3d 890 (Nev. 2003).
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Daniel v. State, 78 P.3d 890 (Nev. 2003). · cites it 8× “405 advisory committee’s note (1975)) (stating that NRS 48.055 is based on Fed. R. Evid. 405).”
Newman v. State, 298 P.3d 1171 (Nev. 2013). · cites it 8× “045(1)(a) and NRS 48.055, to rebut Newman's testimony that he strangled Carmona in self-defense.”
Roever v. State, 963 P.2d 503 (Nev. 1998). · cites it 10× “Second, NRS 48.055 allows permissible character evidence to be admitted at trial only in the form of the witness's opinion of the defendant or the defendant's reputation.”
Mitchell v. State, 192 P.3d 721 (Nev. 2008). · cites it 2× “Furthermore, after evidence of the defendant’s character has been presented, the State may inquire into specific instances of his or her conduct during cross-examination under NRS 48.055(1). Under NRS 50.085(3), the State may inquire into specific instances of a witness’s…”
Warren v. State, 124 P.3d 522 (Nev. 2005). · cites it 4× “State , we determined that raising an entrapment defense places a defendant's character directly in issue for purposes of NRS 48.055. [27] Under NRS 48.055, proof of specific instances of a defendant's prior conduct may be used when character is an essential element of the…”
Foster v. State, 13 P.3d 61 (Nev. 2000). · cites it 4× “NRS 48.055 denominates the methods by which character may be proven as follows: 1.”
Jezdik v. State, 110 P.3d 1058 (Nev. 2005). · cites it 2× “NRS 48.055 provides the general mechanism for proving character under NRS 48.”
Petty v. State, 997 P.2d 800 (Nev. 2000). · cites it 4× “] Furthermore, NRS 48.055 provides: 1. In all cases in which evidence of character or a trait of character of a person is admissible, proof may be made by testimony as to reputation or in the form of an opinion.”
Burgeon v. State, 714 P.2d 576 (Nev. 1986). · cites it 2× “Under NRS 48.055(1), proof of character may be established by testimony as to reputation or in the form of an opinion.”
Geer v. State, 548 P.2d 946 (Nev. 1976). “Geer moved to strike that testimony, on the grounds that it was irrelevant and immaterial.”
Pierson v. Robert Griffin Investigations, Inc., 555 P.2d 843 (Nev. 1976). · cites it 2× “Since Pierson’s character was put in issue by respondents’ defense of truth, the evidence was properly admissible pursuant to NRS 48.055. Moore v. Davis, 27 S.W.2d 153, 157 (Tex.”
Griffith (Jason) v. State (Nev. 2016). · cites it 4× “" NRS 48.055(1). In addition to character evidence, "proof of specific instances of the person's conduct may be made on direct or cross-examination" when the "character or a trait of character of a person is an essential element of a charge, claim or defense.”
Show all 18 citing cases →
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 48.055(1) — 12 cases
Daniel v. State, 78 P.3d 890 (Nev. 2003). “405 advisory committee’s note (1975)) (stating that NRS 48.055 is based on Fed. R. Evid. 405).”
Mitchell v. State, 192 P.3d 721 (Nev. 2008). “Furthermore, after evidence of the defendant’s character has been presented, the State may inquire into specific instances of his or her conduct during cross-examination under NRS 48.055(1). Under NRS 50.085(3), the State may inquire into specific instances of a witness’s…”
Newman v. State, 298 P.3d 1171 (Nev. 2013). “045(1)(a) and NRS 48.055, to rebut Newman's testimony that he strangled Carmona in self-defense.”
Burgeon v. State, 714 P.2d 576 (Nev. 1986). “Under NRS 48.055(1), proof of character may be established by testimony as to reputation or in the form of an opinion.”
Roever v. State, 963 P.2d 503 (Nev. 1998). “Second, NRS 48.055 allows permissible character evidence to be admitted at trial only in the form of the witness's opinion of the defendant or the defendant's reputation.”
— Nev. Rev. Stat. § 48.055(2) — 6 cases
Daniel v. State, 78 P.3d 890 (Nev. 2003). “405 advisory committee’s note (1975)) (stating that NRS 48.055 is based on Fed. R. Evid. 405).”
Foster v. State, 13 P.3d 61 (Nev. 2000). “NRS 48.055 denominates the methods by which character may be proven as follows: 1.”
Petty v. State, 997 P.2d 800 (Nev. 2000). “] Furthermore, NRS 48.055 provides: 1. In all cases in which evidence of character or a trait of character of a person is admissible, proof may be made by testimony as to reputation or in the form of an opinion.”
Griffith (Jason) v. State (Nev. 2016). “" NRS 48.055(1). In addition to character evidence, "proof of specific instances of the person's conduct may be made on direct or cross-examination" when the "character or a trait of character of a person is an essential element of a charge, claim or defense.”
Skropeta (Martin) Vs. State (Nev. 2020).
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