Washington Jury Instruction - 5.2 Expert Witnesses When Expert Witness Fees Represent A Significant Portion Of The Witness' Income

• Category: Federal - Jury Instructions - Basic Civil Claim Instructions
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-11CB-5-2
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

This form contains sample jury instructions, to be used across the United States. These questions are to be used only as a model, and should be altered to more perfectly fit your own cause of action needs.

Washington Jury Instruction — 5.2: Expert Witnesses When Expert Witness Fees Represent A Significant Portion Of The Witness' Income In legal proceedings, expert witnesses play a crucial role in providing specialized knowledge and insight to assist jurors in understanding complex matters. In some cases, these expert witnesses rely heavily on the income they earn from their testimonies. This creates a unique dynamic that needs to be acknowledged and understood by the jury. Washington Jury Instruction — 5.2 addresses this situation and helps jurors evaluate the credibility and objectivity of expert witnesses when their fees represent a significant portion of their income. When the fees received for expert witness testimony represent a substantial portion of an expert's income, it introduces the possibility of bias or motive conflicting with their professional obligations. The instruction aims to guide jurors in assessing the credibility and impartiality of such witnesses. By considering the potential impact of financial incentives, the jury can make a more informed decision. Different types of Washington Jury Instruction — 5.2 Expert Witnesses When Expert Witness Fees Represent A Significant Portion Of The Witness' Income: 1. Jury Instruction — 5.2a: Expert Witness BiaEvaluationio— - This instruction directs jurors to carefully evaluate the potential bias of an expert witness whose economic interests may be affected by the outcome of the case. By examining the extent to which the witness's income relies on expert testimony fees, the jury can assess whether financial incentives could compromise the witness's objectivity. 2. Jury Instruction — 5.2b: Expert Witness Credibility Analysis — This instruction instructs the jury to consider the credibility of an expert witness whose income significantly depends on fees earned from providing expert testimony. Jurors are encouraged to evaluate the witness's qualifications, consistency in previous testimonies, and possible conflicts of interest to determine the weight to be accorded to their opinions. 3. Jury Instruction — 5.2c: Assessing Expert Witness Opinions — This instruction emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing the opinions expressed by an expert witness in light of their financial interests. Jurors are prompted to assess whether the witness's conclusions align with accepted professional standards or whether they may be influenced by the potential impact on their income. By adhering to these jury instructions, the jury can better navigate the complex dynamics surrounding expert witnesses who rely heavily on the income derived from their testimonies. Evaluating the potential bias, credibility, and opinions of these experts enables the jury to make an impartial and well-informed decision based on the evidence presented in the case, ensuring justice is served.