What forms of proof are admissible for character evidence when character is directly at issue?

When character is directly at issue in a legal proceeding, various forms of proof can be introduced to establish the character of a person. The correct answer identifies reputation, opinion, and specific acts as admissible forms of character evidence in such cases.

Reputation allows witnesses to testify about the general opinion of a person's character within a community. Opinion evidence involves a witness expressing their personal views about the character of the individual based on their relationship with that person. Specific acts refer to particular incidents that demonstrate a person's character traits relevant to the case at hand. In context, if character is a fundamental aspect of the legal case—such as in defamation lawsuits, child custody matters, or cases involving fraud—then all three forms of character evidence can provide a comprehensive picture of the individual’s character traits that are pertinent to the issues being litigated.

Other options, like written documentation, video recordings, or statistical and expert evidence, do not align with the traditional admissibility rules for character evidence. Therefore, the focus on reputation, opinion, and specific acts correctly outlines the relevant forms of admissible proof in scenarios where character is directly at issue.