Is evidence of crimes committed by a defendant other than those charged admissible to prove criminal disposition or poor character?

Evidence of crimes committed by a defendant other than those charged is inadmissible to prove criminal disposition or a poor character. "[B]ut evidence of uncharged crimes is admissible to prove, among other things, the identity of the perpetrator of the charged crimes, the existence of a common design or plan, or the intent with which the perpetrator acted in the commission of the charged crimes. (Evid.Code, 1101.) Evidence of uncharged

[12 Cal.Rptr.3d 604]

crimes is admissible to prove identity, common design or plan, or intent only if the charged and uncharged crimes are sufficiently similar to support a rational inference of identity, common design or plan, or intent. [Citation.] On appeal, the trial court's determination of this issue, being essentially a determination of relevance, is reviewed for abuse of discretion." (People v. Kipp (1998) 18 Cal.4th 349, 369, 75 Cal.Rptr.2d 716, 956 P.2d 1169.)

[12 Cal.Rptr.3d 604]