An expert witness is someone with skills, education, or certification that makes them an expert in their field. Due to their unique talents, they may be called upon to answer questions in a court setting that adds weight to either side’s case.
While many people are experts in their field, that doesn’t always make them experts in the courtroom. That can take time, so consider relying on the following pieces of advice until you’re completely confident with your role.
Understand Questions Before Answering
Out of all tips for witnesses in court, one of the most important is understanding a question before answering it. Failure to understand the question can result in an inaccurate answer or one that fits the narrative but not the truth.
Wait until the lawyer has finished asking the question, ask for clarity if you need it, and answer it to the best of your ability in as much time as you need. Don’t attempt to answer a question before the person answering it has finished speaking.
Don’t Accept the Opposing Counsel’s Statements As Facts
Attorneys can ask some complicated questions to try and trick you into saying or confirming something that’s not necessarily true and call your credibility into question. Typically, they do this with strange wording that allows juries and others in the courtroom to infer information that may not be accurate.
As a rule, expert witnesses can become more confident in the courtroom by only ever confirming information they themselves know to be true.
Analyze Items You’re Questioned About
Even if you are an expert in the field you are being asked questions about, always analyze any documents relating to the case before answering questions about them.
Pay particular attention to dates, times, headings, and names of people within the document, such as files involving a medical malpractice lawsuit. The more you familiarize yourself with what you are being questioned about, the more confident you can be when you start speaking.
Don’t Get Emotional
It’s okay to feel emotions like anger, sadness, and frustration, but try your hardest to keep a cool head when you’re being questioned. Most importantly, don’t argue with the attorney asking the questions.
If you allow your emotions to get the better of you and forget how to behave in court, you may be at risk of not being able to answer a question to the best of your ability. Put your own feelings about a question aside, and answer truthfully with the information you know from your years of experience.
Take Your Time
With all eyes on you in a courtroom, it’s easy to feel pressured into rushing through your information to avoid holding anyone up. Even if a court case has to run for several hours on end, produce the information you believe will be necessary for the case, regardless of how long it takes.
The average trial can take a long time to reach its conclusion, and your expert testimony takes a mere fraction of that time.
The more court cases you’re involved in as an expert witness, the more confident you can become. However, before that natural confidence kicks in, consider taking note of this information above to make your time in court more manageable.
