Who Are Expert Witnesses & Why Do You Need One?

Galveston Texas Federal Courthouse

An expert witness is an individual who possesses the specialized skills & knowledge about a topic or has sufficient experience to testify in court about what they believe has occurred.
Expert witnesses can be instrumental in legal matters and hearings. Plaintiffs and defendants are often encouraged to hire expert witnesses for their cases for a more thorough and comprehensive examination of available data.

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How Are Expert Witnesses Different from Regular Witnesses?

Their specialized skills are what set them apart from regular witnesses. Unlike the latter, expert witnesses do not rely on what they have personally seen, heard, or felt when presenting their testimony. They are usually completely removed from the case and have no personal connection to it. Their testimony is solely based on their training, knowledge, and experience in their field of expertise, which allows them to draw conclusions and give professional opinions about the case.

An expert witness studies the case and takes in all of the available information. They analyze it and using their training, experience, and knowledge, provide their opinions, which could take place in a deposition or court.

The View from the window during a banking deposition in Charlotte, North Carolina.

What Is the Role of an Expert Witness?

 As mentioned above, expert witnesses are not usually emotionally involved in the case and are independent forces.They are unbiased witnesses who do not let their emotions or personal bias get in the way of their opinions and conclusions. Their testimonies are free of prejudices and based solely on concrete facts and critical evaluation. As a result, expert witnesses are viewed as reliable and objective during a case.
It is important to note that expert witnesses are not advocates for their clients.  Their opinions are their own, unaffected by any external forces or influences. Their conclusions are supported by their training, education, experience, and industry standards.

Why Should You Hire an Expert Witness for Your Case?

If you are dealing with a real estate case or a banking case, having an expert witness to educate you on the industry standards and practices can help tremendously. Their knowledge and experience can make all of the difference in a case. They can explain practices, relevant theories,and concepts to the judge and the jury in a way to help educate the court.
An expert witness will also be able to pick up on any inconsistent findings, inaccurate details, or improper methodologies in the opposing party’s reports.
In need of a banking or real estate expert witness?Contact Jason D Koontz today for his independent expert witness consulting services in Fort Worth!