Who can/should be certified as an expert witness to give testimony about alcohol interlocks?
• As a general rule, an expert is needed to testify when there is a need to discuss scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge as part of a hearing or case. • In making a determination regarding who can be called as an expert, there are several factors to consider. First, there are court rules and case law in each state regarding what is required of an expert witness. Second, there is a requirement that the witness possess specialized knowledge that is relevant to the case. An expert can be someone that has, through education, experience, training, or observation, obtained the necessary knowledge on the topic over a reasonable period of time. • In order to identify a suitable candidate for an expert witness, it is important to consider the subject matter that the expert will testify about. • If the issue is one of tampering or circumvention, then perhaps a person who is familiar with the installation process or the downloading of the data would be an appropriate choice. Howe
