Georgia Jury Instruction — 5.2 Expert Witnesses When Expert Witness Fees Represent A Significant Portion Of The Witness' Income: In Georgia, the jury instruction 5.2 addresses the specific situation where expert witness fees represent a significant portion of the witness' income. This instruction is essential in ensuring fairness and impartiality in legal proceedings by providing guidelines and considerations for the jury when evaluating the credibility and objectivity of expert witnesses. When expert witness fees represent a substantial portion of the witness' income, it is crucial for the jury to carefully scrutinize their testimony and potential biases that may arise from their financial dependency on providing expert services. In such cases, the jury should consider the following factors: 1. Expertise and Qualifications: The jury should assess the witness' qualifications, experience, education, and expertise in the relevant field. The witness should possess the necessary knowledge and skill to justify their designation as an expert in the particular matter at hand. 2. Independence and Objectivity: The jury must evaluate whether the expert witness is independent and unbiased. The fact that their income significantly relies on expert witness fees raises concerns about potential bias and the possibility of their testimony being influenced by financial incentives. The jury should assess if there is any evidence or indication that the witness might be swayed or motivated to provide a skewed opinion. 3. Financial Dependency: The instruction emphasizes that the jury should be aware and cautious of the financial dependency of the expert witness on their fees. They should consider the proportion of the witness' income derived from expert witness work and whether this dependency could create a bias towards providing testimony that favors the party that hired them. It is essential to note that this particular jury instruction does not categorize different types of expert witnesses based on the significance of their income derived from expert witness fees. Instead, it provides a general guideline for the jury to evaluate any expert witness whose income is substantially reliant on these fees. In summary, the Georgia Jury Instruction — 5.2 aims to address potential credibility concerns associated with expert witnesses whose income significantly depends on expert witness fees. By considering the qualifications, independence, and financial dependency of such witnesses, the jury can make informed decisions based on the credibility and objectivity of their testimony.