Understanding The Importance Of Expert Witnesses In Criminal Cases
If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, you need the help of a qualified defense attorney. An attorney knowledgeable about or skillful in the area of criminal law can prove invaluable. You may also need the help of an expert witness if you are facing criminal charges. Your defense attorney can help you determine if you need the help of an expert. If you do, your attorney can help you find the right expert to work with. A well-chosen expert witness can prove invaluable in your criminal case.
What Is the Importance of Expert Witnesses in Criminal Cases?
Expert witnesses are usually called upon to explain exhibits, testify why facts presented in a case are true or false, or give an in-depth testimony to the subject in question. An expert witness may also review the crucial information in a case.
The first benefit of hiring experts in criminal cases is that experts are impartial. An expert witness must remain neutral and accurately present his or her findings and evidence. This makes expert witnesses’ testimonies trustworthy.
The second benefit of hiring experts in criminal cases is that they offer evidence insight. Expert witnesses help judges and jurors understand complex evidence. They provide judges and jurors with facts that they may not have considered. This can lead to a break in the case, such as proving an alibi.
Thirdly, expert witnesses provide a sense of credibility since they have the proper education, training, or experience. Credibility is quite crucial in a criminal case.
Additionally, the right expert can assist your defense attorney in developing a defense strategy to help in plea negotiations.
In other words, the proper expert witness can aid your criminal defense attorney in his or her efforts to fight your charges. The proper expert can help you prevail at trial.
Type of Experts in Criminal Cases
There are many experts that criminal defendants can work with. The expert you need to work with depends on your case’s specifics. That said, the following are some of the experts that defendants work with in criminal cases;
- Forensic experts – A forensic expert analyzes, identifies and classifies physical evidence relating to a crime using scientific principles. A forensic expert may visit a crime scene to gather evidence and record the physical facts of the scene. A forensic expert may testify in court and present his or her findings in court.
- Financial experts – A financial expert may be necessary in, for example, a money laundering case. The role of this expert is to deal with the financial details of a case.
- Medical billing experts – This expert may be necessary in a healthcare fraud case. A medical billing expert can help authenticate the services of a medical provider.
- Forensic toxicologist – This expert provides in-depth testimony on alcohol or drug-related cases.
Contact a New Jersey Criminal Defense & Veteran Lawyer
If you’re facing criminal charges and are looking for a qualified criminal defense attorney to hire, contact our New Jersey criminal defense & veteran lawyers at Citizen Soldier Law.
Source:
law.cornell.edu/wex/expert_witness
