North Dakota Jury Instruction — 5.2 Expert Witnesses When Expert Witness Fees Represent A Significant Portion Of The Witness' Income: In North Dakota, the jury instruction 5.2 addresses the role of expert witnesses when their fees from serving as an expert witness represent a significant portion of their overall income. This instruction aims to inform the jury about the potential implications of such financial dependence on the expert's testimony. When an expert witness derives a significant portion of their income from expert witness fees, it is important for the jury to consider whether this financial arrangement could potentially impact the credibility or impartiality of the witness. While it is not inherently wrong for an expert witness to receive a significant portion of their income from these fees, it is essential to ensure that the expert's testimony is given objectively and without bias. The North Dakota Jury Instruction 5.2 emphasizes the need for the jury to carefully evaluate the expert witness's credibility, qualifications, and motivations. Jurors should remain vigilant in assessing whether the expert's opinions and conclusions are based on objective analysis and expertise, rather than influenced by their financial reliance on expert witness fees. Different types of expert witnesses may be influenced by their financial dependence on expert witness fees differently. For example, medical experts who offer their specialized knowledge in personal injury cases might heavily rely on their expert witness fees as a significant portion of their income. On the other hand, financial experts who testify in complex financial litigation may have diverse sources of income and may not rely as heavily on expert witness fees. In cases where the expert witness's fees represent a substantial part of their income, it is critical for the jury to consider whether any potential conflicts of interest or biases may arise from this financial dependency. The jury should scrutinize the expert's testimony, cross-examine the witness regarding any potential conflicts, and evaluate the weight and reliability of their opinions accordingly. In conclusion, North Dakota Jury Instruction 5.2 addresses the importance of assessing the credibility and impartiality of expert witnesses when their income is significantly derived from expert witness fees. Jurors need to diligently scrutinize the expert's testimony, qualifications, and motivations to ensure that their opinions are unbiased and based on their expertise rather than influenced by financial considerations.