Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Expert Witness

An expert witness is an individual that is an expert in their particular field and they are called to testify at a trial. There is something about that trial that suggests this individual could be helpful in establishing the guilt or the innocence of the defendant. For instance, a dentist may be called upon to talk about bite patterns or to testify regarding the dental records of a victim. A neurologist could be called to testify about abnormalities in the defendant’s brain that caused them to commit the crime. There are so many types of expert witnesses that could be called to the stand.

But when hiring an expert witness, it is important that the lawyer doing the hiring asks certain questions before telling that person that they can testify. Those questions include:

– They should be asked to clarify their profession, which is the field they are an expert in. They should also be asked to show their credentials if the lawyer is not already familiar with them.

– They should also be asked to clarify how long they have been in their profession. Longevity can help quite a bit. Then again, there are some individuals just leaving college who have fresher knowledge on the field that they are in.

– The potential expert witness should be asked if they have any personal involvement with the case. It is important that they don’t have some sort of relationship with the defendant. If they do, they will not be called to be an expert witness. It is important that they are in an unbiased situation so that they may present an unbiased opinion on the case. They are expected to give their expert opinion and that is it.

– They should be asked if they have received any information on the case before the interview. This is because being given any advanced information can cause bias. That is why jurors tend to be asked if they have any information regarding the case before the interview. That information can cause an opinion that could compromise the case.

– They could be asked if they have participated in cases such as this before. Experience always helps when trying to find someone who will be comfortable enough to give their opinion on the witness stand. They should also be aware of how to give the necessary details when asked.

– They should also be asked if they have an issue being under oath. Some individuals do have an issue with being under oath due to specific beliefs that they may have. Most do not have an issue with it, though.

– There may be questions specific to their specialization that may be asked to ensure that the potential expert witness does know what they are talking about. It is important to have questions ready that prevents them from pretending that they are the expert.

It is very important to ensure that the potential expert witness is someone who can make some sort of impact on the case. Whether they are working behind the scenes as a non-testifying witness or they are a testifying witness, they have to know what they are talking about. They can’t just pretend that they know what they are talking about just because they want to be involved in the case in some way. Sure, they may get some publicity for it, but that is not a reason to get involved with a case. It is important to ensure that the potential expert witness wants to testify because they genuinely want to help the case. They want to offer some insight that will determine the guilt or innocence of the individual at trial.

Medical expert witness serving US and Canada. Having a group of medical and dental expert witness we have been serving since 1978.

What happens when you go before an administative law judge in a hearing for a disability claim for mental stuf?

Question by hunter: What happens when you go before an administative law judge in a hearing for a disability claim for mental stuf?
What happens when you go before an administative law judge in a hearing for a disability claim for mental stuff, ptsd, add, mild retardation, some physical, peptic ulcers, heartburn, acid reflux and asthma? I know somebody that is going and they want my advise on how to handel it and what happens. They have a lawer. They are really nervious please tell me what happens if you can. Do they talk to you or just the lawer?

Best answer:

Answer by sunnny
The record all audio/visual and tell you they have an “expert witness”. When I was told that, I said, ” Well, if this doctor is an expert, I want him for my doctor!”, I also told my attorney for SSDi< I'm not looking for a job. The "expert witness" was not present, but they do send the person notification that they may be in the court room, mine was done by phone, got disconnected and they didn't call him back. So funny. The judge asks a few questions, they can make you wait and they do record you in the waiting area, too. I waited over 2 and 1/2 hours for my 11am appt done at 1pm. Not happy with that. Your friend should get a handicapped plaquard from DMV if eligible/drives. Just need a docs signature for the simple one, respiratory type. (ie, no wheelchairs or other equipment required) If your friend has PTSD, military related, he/she should contact the VA for disability benefits, too. There is a rehab person there and a psychologist. If your friend has an atty for an SSDI claim, they must have waited the time period and are eligible for the disability if they can not work. go to socialsecurity.gov and review disability claims. With asthma, certain criteria must be met with resp function acc to age etc. the ALJ determines if the claim is legit or if the person can work or be placed in another job, usually one that is minimum wage, many people get disability for depression, hopefully, your friend will get some medical treatment for the "peptic ulcers", but also, some people become worse over time instead of better. Soc Sec can review the case in 3 years or so to determine if still disabled.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Q&A: Whats better to practice before ballet? Yoga or Pilates? Please help me. Ty!?

Question by ♥Tamara♥: Whats better to practice before ballet? Yoga or Pilates? Please help me. Ty!?

Best answer:

Answer by Mike F
Simple Yoga Therapy via Breathing

While yoga breathing exercises are invaluable in their effects, many of these do not require hours of practice. These take only a few minutes and yet keep the body and mind healthy. Following is one such series of breathing exercises that take only six minutes to complete. Follow this regularly, daily, and you can feel a clear improvement in your energy and ability to function. However, this exercise should not be performed by people suffering from cervical problems.
Better yoga 🙂 http://www.freeinfoarticles.com

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Witness: Doctor failed in her duty before deaths

Witness: Doctor failed in her duty before deaths
By LINDA DEUTSCH A California doctor who sits in court accused of murder listened to an expert witness Tuesday describe how three young men came to her for drugs and wound up dead after she failed to provide adequate care and diagnosis before issuing …
Read more on BusinessWeek

Defense pushes lack of evidence in Iraq slayings
The only surviving witness said he can't recall being shot and two military forensic experts testified they found little physical evidence to link a US soldier to the slayings of his two Army roommates in Iraq—a crime for which the suspect could be …
Read more on San Jose Mercury News

Witness accuses Sandusky of sex abuse as trial opens
In a flurry of motions, another defense lawyer, Karl Rominger, said he would likely call an expert witness to explain that a psychological problem suffered by Sandusky, known as histrionic personality disorder, led him to write "love letters" to his …
Read more on Reuters