#Define witness professional#

John the Apostle speaks of this in 1 John 1:1-3, when he says, “That. Is the role of expert witness right for you? Find out in our top-rated CE course, Introduction to Expert Witness Testimony for Appraisers: To Do or Not to Do.A “witness” is someone who attests to a fact, so in order to be an effective witness for Christ, one must have firsthand knowledge of Him. If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand 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 the product of reliable principles and methods, and (3) the witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case. The Federal Rules of Evidence, Rule 702, addresses the use of an expert witness in a trial: The opinions are to be based on the expertise afforded by “scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge.” Therefore, your opinions are sought to assist the Trier of Fact in deciding the case. In fact, your opinions are the very reason for your testimony. One who by reason of education or specialized experience possesses superior knowledge respecting a subject about which persons having no particular training are incapable of forming an accurate opinion or deducing correct conclusions… A witness who has been qualified as an expert and who thereby will be allowed… to assist the jury in understanding complicated and technical subjects not within the understanding of the average lay person.Īs an expert witness appraiser, you are allowed to express opinions. Expert Witnessīlack’s Law Dictionary, 6th edition, defines “expert witness” as:

#Define witness professional#

That would encroach into the realm of expert testimony.Īdditionally, the amount of compensation you can receive for providing fact witness testimony is limited and substantially lower than an expert witness can, and should, charge.įree Guide: Did you know appraisers who invest in their professional development earn an average of $16,000 more per year than their peers? Learn more about the power of investing in yourself in this free ROI of Professional Development Guide.

However, you are not to explain the reasoning behind the concluded value. You may state the concluded value in the appraisal. As a fact witness, you may describe an appraisal that has been performed. Compensation for a fact witness is minimal and often set by statute or by the court.Ī fact witness testifies to just that: the facts that relate to the case.

A fact witness is not permitted to express an opinion beyond the limitations in Rule 701 while testifying.There are two main points to remember about a fact witness: If the witness is not testifying as an expert, the witness’ testimony in the form of opinions or inferences is limited to those opinions or inferences which are (a) rationally based on the perception of the witness, and (b) helpful to a clear understanding of the witness’ testimony or the determination of a fact in issue, and (c) not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge within the scope of Rule 702.