Courtroom Testimony

Course Description

This course is designed to prepare students for courtroom testimony as expert witnesses. Students will learn the role scientific evidence and expert witness testimony play in criminal and civil cases in the United States court system as well as key court rulings relating to expert testimony. Expert testimony and evidence admissibility standards will be compared between the federal and state court systems, as well as ethical considerations for expert testimony. Challenges to scientific testimony admissibility will be discussed in depth, focusing on current court decisions that impact the impact the admissibility, content, and format of scientific testimony.

In addition to testimony admissibility, the course will discuss the process of scientific testimony. Students will be learn how witnesses are qualified for expert testimony and how to testify under both direct examination and cross examination situations. At the end of the course, students will be required to participate in a mock testimony exercise that will require them to apply course material as they prepare and testify as an expert witness in a mock criminal case.