When you think about admitting expert testimony, do any of these questions come to mind?

• How does a witness get qualified to be an expert?
• How certain does an expert need to be to offer an opinion?
• What can an expert testify about (or not)? Causes of physical injuries? The credibility and characteristics of allegedly abused children?

Or maybe you have a physical reaction to words and phrases like Daubert, reliable principles and methods, or scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge.

Recently, I taught a class on expert witnesses with a focus on juvenile abuse, neglect, dependency, and termination of parental rights matters. As part of that session, I prepared a handout that provides quick access to the pertinent rules of evidence, required steps, and proper subject matter for testimony. The Expert Witness Quick Reference Guide, as I am calling it, seems to have been received well and I thought others may benefit from having the resource in court or elsewhere.

The resource is available for download on the School of Government’s Juvenile Law microsite, here. I hope you find it useful.