According to the Federal Rules of Evidence, when is character evidence admissible?

Character evidence is admissible under the Federal Rules of Evidence primarily when it is relevant to a specific issue in the case, particularly when it pertains to the crime charged. This relevance often comes into play in criminal cases where the defendant's character may directly relate to their behavior during the incident in question. For example, evidence of good character may be introduced to support a claim of innocence, while bad character could be introduced to show a propensity for committing the type of crime alleged.

In contrast, the other options suggest blanket rules for admissibility, which do not align with the nuanced approach of the Federal Rules of Evidence. The idea that character evidence is always admissible in civil cases or only by the accused is too restrictive and does not reflect the legal framework's emphasis on relevancy. Similarly, stating that character evidence is never admissible is incorrect, as the rules allow for its admission under certain circumstances. Thus, the emphasis on pertinence to the crime committed captures the critical aspect that dictates when character evidence can be introduced in court.