What makes someone an “expert?
A. An expert in the eyes of the Court is a person who has specialized skills, education, experience and knowledge in a specific subject area. Different states have different criteria when determining whether a person claiming to be an expert has the credentials to offer opinion testimony to the judge or jury. However, in general, the Federal Rules of Evidence 702 states, “if scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact (judge or jury) to understanding the evidence or to determine a fact in issue a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training or education may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise if (1) the testimony is based upon sufficient facts or data, (2) the testimony is a product of reliable principles and methods and (3) the witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case”.
