How to Become an Expert Witness

Just Any Professional

While it is true that just any professional in the world can become an expert witness, it is often more difficult to actually remain a designated expert witness in a courtroom. The usual sort of professional that enters into the courtroom with a signed contract with a lawyer is someone that will have specific relevance to the subject matter and reliable testing methods.

Many that work well in a courtroom are those in the medical professions, someone with expert knowledge that may not testify and others that can support certain evidence or a trail of actions or a timeline. Forensic and reconstruction experts are common for criminal and accident matters.

Sought Opinions of the Expert

Many experts become a court authority in a subject matter or field of study to help with confusing issues that require clarification.

Lawyers and the judge seek the opinions of certain experts. Some courts will hire the expert directly, and others will give permission for the lawyer to do so to help based on the subject material. For construction matters, this could include contractors, architects and engineers. Medical issues generally require doctors or nurses. For copyright and trademark issues, this could provide artists and even musicians to take part in the conflict. Nearly any professional can provide sought after opinions.

The Critical Role

While a professional may have no experience in the courtroom, he or she may still have a critical role in the judicial process because of his or her knowledge or testing methods. The reliable testing that provides results with accuracy and a low error rate is crucial for understanding something that is both confusing and could affect the defendant. Many experts have a critical role on either side as championing in an unbiased way either the prosecution or defendant in criminal cases or the defendant or plaintiff in civil cases. The understanding, knowledge and experience of the expert are what can provide the client with more knowledge and information about a subject.

On the Job Experience

Usually, the professional is not an expert until he or she has on the job training and experience. This requires the individual to take part in courtroom interactions. He or she may need to give testimony, test certain evidence and have a working relationship with lawyers. Some can work on both sides and even with both criminal and civil cases. However, it is usually important to focus on one aspect of the legal battles before expanding. By the second hire, the professional may have sufficient on the job experience to face challenges to testing methods or relevance to the subject matter in the case.

Advancing to the Role of Expert Witness

Generally, a professional will have some experience with the field of study through published works, with peer reviews about processes and testing methods and have journals or trade publications. The individual may even speak at professional conferences or have his or her quotes in the newspaper.

Grants, fellowships and even prestigious awards are the hallmarks of expert witnesses that remain part of a court case throughout and are able to successfully overcome a challenge or objection from the opposing legal counsel. The more the professional has these as part of his or her background, the more likely the court authorities will take him or her as an expert in the field.

What the lawyer will look for in the expert is experience working with the field of study, knowledge about the subject material and a willingness to create flexibility in schedule for the court cases. An hourly rate, proximity to the trial’s location and exceptional communication are all key for the expert in the participation of a claim or case. The professional should also have other traits such as the ability to speak and write well and help in clarifying confusing details.

Becoming an Expert Witness

As a professional with expert knowledge, the individual can become an expert witness over time. The more he or she participates in court cases, the greater the chance the person will become a designated expert witness. Testimony and reliable testing methods are also of great importance in and out of the courtroom.

Provided by HG.org

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer.