How to Become an Expert Witness

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

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Expert witnesses are needed to testify in court cases. They may be witnesses for the prosecution or the defense. Experts in several areas such as forensics, medicine, allied health, aviation and other fields are needed to help prove or disprove a case. Expert witnesses are usually paid well for their time and expertise. They need to be unbiased when stating facts. Read on to learn how to become an expert witness.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Step1

Obtain an advanced degree. Not all expert witnesses have a master's degree or a Ph.D., however the more education a person has the likelier they will be considered an expert.

Step2

Establish yourself as an expert. Many expert witnesses have published articles or taught classes in their field. Develop the skills and training you need to be confident as an expert.

Step3

Develop excellent communication skills. You will be testifying in front of lawyers and jurors. You will need to answer questions in a concise way. The jurors will not have your level of expertise in the area you are testifying about. It is important to take technical information and explain it in a way everyone can understand.

Step4

Create a website. You can have your credentials available for review. Published work that helps establish you as an expert can also be linked. State on your site you are available to be an expert witness.

Step5

Join a service that helps layers find expert witnesses. Several companies exist which allow experts to place their profile. Attorneys can go to a website and view the profile of an expert and contact them for more information.

Step6

Accept a case to testify on. Once you accept a case from an attorney confirm all details such as payment in writing. Review all information given to you about the case. Maintain confidentially as instructed by the attorney.

Tips & Warnings

Do not testify on anything outside of your area of expertise.
Do not accept any case where you have a conflict of interest.
Answer all questions honestly. Keep in mind you are under oath.
Never guess on an answer. If unsure about something admit it. Remember stakes are high in legal cases.