2.09 Opinion Evidence (Expert Witnesses) The rules of evidence ordinarily do not permit witnesses to state their own opinions about important questions in a trial, but there are exceptions to these rules. You will hear testimony from (state the name of the person(s) who will Because of knowledge, skill, experience, offer an opinion). (his)(her)(their) training, or education in the field of (state the witness(es)’s field), will be permitted to offer opinion(s) in that field (Mr.)(Ms.)(Dr.) (name) (an) and the reasons for opinion(s). (that)(those) The opinion(s) witness(es) state(s) should receive whatever (this)(these) weight you think appropriate, given all the other evidence in the case. In weighing this opinion testimony you may consider the witness' qualifications, the reasons for the witness' opinions, and the reliability of the information supporting the witness' opinions, as well as the other factors I will discuss in my final instructions for weighing the testimony of witnesses. You may disregard the opinion(s) entirely if you decide that (Mr.)(Ms.)(Dr.) (name)’s opinion(s) not based on sufficient knowledge, skill, experience, (is)(are) training, or education. You may also disregard the opinion(s) if you conclude that the reasons given in support of the opinion(s) are not sound, or if you conclude that the opinion(s) not supported by the facts shown by the (is)(are)
2.09 Opinion Evidence (Expert Witnesses) The rules of evidence ordinarily do not permit witnesses to state their own opinions about important questions in a trial, but there are exceptions to these rules. You will hear testimony from (state the name of the person(s) who will offer an opinion). Because of (his)(her)(their) knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education in the field of (state the witness(es)’s field), (Mr.)(Ms.)(Dr.) (name) will be permitted to offer (an) opinion(s) in that field and the reasons for (that)(those) opinion(s). The opinion(s) (this)(these) witness(es) state(s) should receive whatever weight you think appropriate, given all the other evidence in the case. In weighing this opinion testimony you may consider the witness' qualifications, the reasons for the witness' opinions, and the reliability of the information supporting the witness' opinions, as well as the other factors I will discuss in my final instructions for weighing the testimony of witnesses. You may disregard the opinion(s) entirely if you decide that (Mr.)(Ms.)(Dr.) (name)’s opinion(s) (is)(are) not based on sufficient knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education. You may also disregard the opinion(s) if you conclude that the reasons given in support of the opinion(s) are not sound, or if you conclude that the opinion(s) (is)(are) not supported by the facts shown by the
2014%20Chapter%202%20final.docx