Hello all and welcome back to Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers. I’m Makayla your host, and today we will be talking about an interesting topic. We will be discussing how expert witness testimony can assist people in both civil and criminal trials and hearings. Do not touch the dial, sit tight and enjoy. Don’t forget that, for top-notch private investigation services in Oklahoma and expert witness testimony which you cannot get elsewhere, call Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers at (405) 593-3515.
Introduction to the case
The Role of expert witnesses in legal proceedings cannot be overemphasized because they help judges, jurors, and other legal professionals understand complex evidence and make informed decisions. Before we get into how beneficial expert testimonies are in civil and criminal hearings and trials it is necessary to know who an expert witness is. An expert witness is a person who has specialized knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education in a particular field or discipline. With their knowledge of specific things, they can provide clear, unbiased, and objective explanations on scientific, technical, or professional issues in courtrooms and out of courts. There are different types of expert witnesses because they are in various fields like medicine, science, economics, finance, law enforcement, architecture, forensic science, and several others.
Role of Expert Witnesses in Civil and Criminal Trials and Hearings
The way expert witness helps parties involved in criminal trials and civil trials are numerous and it includes;
1. Clarifying Technical or Scientific Matters
The first way that expert witness testimonies help people in civil and criminal trials is by clarifying scientific or technical matters. When it comes to issues like building failures, medical malpractices, engineering defects, etc, the expert witnesses can testify about what they think happened, industry standards, or scientific principles which will help judges and juries understand any evidence presented before them. So, they help to clarify evidence and concepts in layman’s terms for anyone to understand.
2. Offering Specialized Opinions
With the help of expert witness testimonies, people in criminal or civil trials can get professional opinions which they normally wouldn’t because these expert witnesses are experts in their field and have years of experience under their belt. It helps members of the jury and judge to see evidence in a different light.
3. Establishing or Refuting Causation
With the help of expert witness testimonies, the defendant can help establish whether their action caused harm or not. A medical expert can come in a case where there is debate as to whether the negligence of someone caused a patient injury. In criminal trials, expert witnesses can explain causation in cases involving drug overdoses or injuries, clarifying whether the accused’s actions directly led to the harm.
4. Assessing Damages or Losses
Another duty of some expert witnesses is to testify about the damages or losses that were suffered. For example, ecomics expert witnesses can calculate and present the monetary value of damages which could be lost wages or medical expenses. They do this to ensure fair compensation is given.
5. Reinforcing or Challenging Evidence
With the help of expert witness testimony, the evidence that is presented can be challenged or reinforced. In civil cases, for instance, an engineer can challenge the claims that are being made about a product’s design defect and they will call in a witness who will give their testimony to challenge the claims. In a criminal trial, for instance, a defense forensic expert might reinforce the reliability of DNA evidence.
Benefits of Expert Witness Testimony
There are so many benefits of expert witness testimony and that is why it is being relied on. Some of these benefits include clarity on complex evidence that judges may not understand. With expert witness testimonies, people can establish the credibility and reliability of evidence. These expert witnesses provide an objective view on things and with their help courts can determine damages and liability.
Challenges and Limitations of Expert Witness Testimony
Although having expert witness testimonies is beneficial, it is not without its challenges. Lawyers and parties to a legal case have to ensure that the testimony of the expert witness is without any form of bias and is objective. They will take the pains to confirm the credibility and qualification of the expert witness. They have to ensure that the expert witness does not end up confusing the court more while trying to explain the complex issues in the case. Additionally, there is the issue of conflicting expert testimonies which must be handled.
Conclusion
The role of expert witnesses in civil trials and criminal trials and hearings cannot be overemphasized because, with their help, judges and jurors can understand complex evidence presented before them and give their judgments. So, when you want to hire an expert witness ensure you look for one who is knowledgeable and can analyze and interpret information well. At Oklahoma Judicial Process Servers we understand that our clients need the best expert witnesses to explain complex ideas or concepts well. So, reach out to us to hire the best expert witnesses for your needs. To learn more about our services visit our website at https://oklahomajudicialprocessservers.com. You can email us at info@ojpslegal.com. Call us or text us at (405) 593-3515 today.
