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23 - Decisions Surrounding the Use of Expert Testimony

from Part III - Trial Phase Decision-Making

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2024

By
Mark Costanzo ,
Sophia Costanzo  and
Daniel A. Krauss
Edited by
Monica K. Miller ,
Logan A. Yelderman ,
Matthew T. Huss  and
Jason A. Cantone
Monica K. Miller
Affiliation:
University of Nevada, Reno
Logan A. Yelderman
Affiliation:
Prairie View A & M University, Texas
Matthew T. Huss
Affiliation:
Creighton University, Omaha
Jason A. Cantone
Affiliation:
George Mason University, Virginia
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Summary

The use of expert psychological testimony by the courts involves a series of decisions. The initial decision involves an attorney or judge seeking out an expert to provide testimony. The second set of decisions – usually made by the expert in consultation with the attorney – concerns whether the potential testimony will be helpful or harmful to the case. A third set of decisions – made by the judge in a specific case – concerns the admissibility and scope of expert testimony at trial. If the testimony is admitted at trial, a final decision involves how much or how little weight jurors give the expert testimony while arriving at a verdict. These decisions are strongly shaped by the adversarial system. Drawing on empirical research and their experiences as expert witnesses, the authors explore how these decisions are made. Relevant research is reviewed, particularly on the content and impact of expert psychological testimony. New directions for research are discussed.

Keywords

expert witnessexpert testimonyjury decision-makingjudge decision-makingtrials
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Psychology and Legal Decision-Making , pp. 355 - 364
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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