What is the general rule regarding the use of prior bad acts in Georgia courts?

In Georgia courts, the general rule establishes that prior bad acts are typically prohibited from being introduced solely to prove a person's character. This aligns with the principle encapsulated in the Georgia Rules of Evidence, which restricts the use of evidence regarding a person's character to avoid prejudice. The intention behind this rule is to ensure that juries do not base their decisions on past conduct, which could unfairly taint their judgment regarding the present case.

However, such evidence may still be admissible for purposes other than establishing character, such as to show motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. This nuanced understanding allows for the potential use of prior bad acts in a limited framework when they are relevant to material issues in the case.

By recognizing this rule, it becomes clear why the assertion that such acts are prohibited to prove character is correct, as it protects the integrity of the judicial process and ensures that verdicts are based on the evidence pertinent to the specific case at hand.