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An expert witness has experience and knowledge in a given field and can provide insight to a court of law. The court usually consults an expert witness to provide expertise on the case in dispute. Expert witness testimony can significantly impact the judge’s final decision. The role of an expert witness is not limited to providing testimony for a court case. Lawyers or insurance companies may request the advice of an expert witness for their opinion on particular claims or suits.
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Expert witnesses do not necessarily have to be academics. They can be people with expertise in the area or subject matter. There are different types of expert witnesses according to their profession. For example, an Electrical Engineer Expert Witness is an electrical system and circuit design expert. They can testify in electrical engineering cases and provide litigation support on related issues.
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Important Qualities For An Expert Witness
When assessing an expert’s qualifications, you can look at their educational background, work history, and professional ties. But other traits are also important to consider. Some of these qualities are:
Experience
Experts should have documents certifying their expertise in the subject matter. Professional experience is fundamental, but additional aspects, such as experience in public speaking or teaching, suggest that a person may be an effective expert witness.
Credibility
An expert witness must convince the jury that their perspective is reasonable. A formal appearance and an eloquent speech are both signs of credibility. A good reputation is essential, and experts must avoid biased opinions that affect their reputation. Credibility also means a good expert witness does not ignore facts unfavorable to the party that hired them.
Fair and objective
Whether employed or not, expert witnesses must provide an unbiased view of the case. They should base their judgment only on their professional expertise and the evidence provided.
Communication abilities
An expert is a good communicator when they can summarize scientific evidence so that the jury understands the message. The conclusion of the experts must be consistent with the findings presented.
Helpfulness
Expert testimony must be an impartial professional opinion that aids the assisting fact-finders in reaching a decision. The expert can provide the jury with new information that was not obvious about the case, ensuring that there are no gaps in their reasoning. An expert witness is not helpful when their testimony is not based on the facts of the case.
Dedication
The court requires the expert witness to provide a written report and testify. The report must include all essential information that leads to their opinion of the case. This process thus takes time. The expert witness must have enough time to analyze the evidence in the case properly. A skilled expert witness generally requests more records to support their view.
Consistency
The expert witness should maintain a consistent opinion throughout the trial. Also, they must remember their written report, so there are no discrepancies when they give their testimony to the jury. Discrepancies are dangerous. The opposing party can point out inconsistencies to diminish the expert’s opinion.
Improvisational Skills
An expert witness’ most critical point in a trial is when they are asked a question they are unprepared to answer. Based on their training, expert witnesses should be able to answer questions immediately. But, they should always be cautious to only answer questions in their particular area of expertise.
Some of the best expert witnesses have extensive experience with legal practices. Mr. McFarland has testified in many criminal and civil trials. You can trust that his expertise will provide you with unbiased insight and expert testimony when needed.