Introduction
Expert witnesses are individuals who provide testimony in a court of law based on their specialized knowledge in a certain field. They are typically called upon to provide testimony to help explain complex topics in a case to a judge or jury. Expert witnesses can be found in a variety of fields, including medicine, science, technology, engineering, and accounting (American Bar Association, 2017).
Background
In the United States, the use of expert witnesses began in the late 1800s. Courts began to realize that certain complex topics, such as medicine and science, were beyond the understanding of the average juror. As a result, they began to allow expert witnesses to provide testimony in order to help the jury understand the case (American Bar Association, 2017). Since then, the use of expert witnesses has become commonplace in the American legal system.
Legal Requirements for Expert Witnesses
In order to be considered an expert witness, the individual must possess a certain degree of knowledge in a particular field that is considered to be beyond the knowledge of the average person. The individual must also be deemed by the court to be qualified to provide testimony in that field. In addition, the individual must also be able to provide reliable testimony that is based on scientific evidence and accepted practices within the field (American Bar Association, 2017).
Role of Expert Witnesses
The role of expert witnesses is to provide testimony to the court that helps the jury understand a certain issue or topic that is pertinent to the case. For example, a medical expert witness might provide testimony to the court about the diagnosis and treatment of a medical condition. In addition, an expert witness might provide testimony to the court about the cause of an accident, or even about the validity of evidence in a case (American Bar Association, 2017). In some cases, expert witnesses can help to sway the opinion of the jury in favor of one side.
Conclusion
Expert witnesses are an important part of the American legal system. They provide testimony to the court based on their specialized knowledge in a certain field, which helps the jury to understand the complex topics in a case. In order to be considered an expert witness, the individual must possess a certain degree of knowledge in a particular field and must also be deemed by the court to be qualified to provide testimony in that field. The role of expert witnesses is to provide testimony to the court that helps the jury understand a certain issue or topic that is pertinent to the case.
References
American Bar Association. (2017). Expert Witnesses. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_aid_indigent_defendants/resources/legal_topics/expert_witnesses/