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.
Travis Texas Jury Instruction — 5.2 Expert Witnesses When Expert Witness Fees Represent A Significant Portion Of The Witness' Income provides guidelines for handling cases where expert witnesses rely heavily on the income they earn from providing expert testimony. This instruction aims to ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation of the expert witness's testimony, considering the potential impact that their financial dependency may have on their objectivity. It acknowledges that when expert witness fees form a substantial portion of their income, there may be a risk of bias or conflicts of interest. The primary purpose of this jury instruction is to inform the jury about these circumstances and urge them to evaluate the expert witness's testimony with caution, taking into account their financial dependency. The instruction emphasizes the importance of critically assessing the credibility and objectivity of the expert witness, understanding that their income may be influenced by the outcome of the case. In instances where expert witness fees represent a significant portion of the witness's income, the following types of cases may particularly apply: 1. Personal Injury Cases: In personal injury lawsuits, expert witnesses such as doctors, accident deconstructionists, or biomechanical engineers may heavily rely on their income from performing expert testimony. These cases often involve determining the severity of injuries, causation, or attributing fault, making expert testimony crucial. However, their financial reliance on the fees earned from such cases may impact their testimony's reliability. 2. Intellectual Property Cases: Expert witnesses, including patent attorneys, technologists, or industry professionals, play a critical role in intellectual property disputes. These cases involve evaluating the originality or uniqueness of an invention, determining patent infringement, or the value of intellectual property. Given the high stakes involved and the potential financial impact on the expert witnesses, caution must be exercised to ensure their objectivity. 3. Financial Fraud Cases: Cases involving financial fraud or corporate misconduct may require expert witnesses such as forensic accountants, financial analysts, or valuation experts. When their fees largely stem from providing expert testimony, it becomes crucial to scrutinize their objectivity, particularly in complex financial litigation where substantial sums of money are at stake. In conclusion, Travis Texas Jury Instruction — 5.2 addresses the unique circumstances when expert witness fees represent a significant portion of their income. By providing this instruction, the court seeks to ensure a fair trial by informing the jury of potential biases associated with financial dependency. It is essential to weigh any potential conflicts of interest while evaluating the credibility and objectivity of expert witnesses to arrive at a just verdict.
Travis Texas Jury Instruction — 5.2 Expert Witnesses When Expert Witness Fees Represent A Significant Portion Of The Witness' Income provides guidelines for handling cases where expert witnesses rely heavily on the income they earn from providing expert testimony. This instruction aims to ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation of the expert witness's testimony, considering the potential impact that their financial dependency may have on their objectivity. It acknowledges that when expert witness fees form a substantial portion of their income, there may be a risk of bias or conflicts of interest. The primary purpose of this jury instruction is to inform the jury about these circumstances and urge them to evaluate the expert witness's testimony with caution, taking into account their financial dependency. The instruction emphasizes the importance of critically assessing the credibility and objectivity of the expert witness, understanding that their income may be influenced by the outcome of the case. In instances where expert witness fees represent a significant portion of the witness's income, the following types of cases may particularly apply: 1. Personal Injury Cases: In personal injury lawsuits, expert witnesses such as doctors, accident deconstructionists, or biomechanical engineers may heavily rely on their income from performing expert testimony. These cases often involve determining the severity of injuries, causation, or attributing fault, making expert testimony crucial. However, their financial reliance on the fees earned from such cases may impact their testimony's reliability. 2. Intellectual Property Cases: Expert witnesses, including patent attorneys, technologists, or industry professionals, play a critical role in intellectual property disputes. These cases involve evaluating the originality or uniqueness of an invention, determining patent infringement, or the value of intellectual property. Given the high stakes involved and the potential financial impact on the expert witnesses, caution must be exercised to ensure their objectivity. 3. Financial Fraud Cases: Cases involving financial fraud or corporate misconduct may require expert witnesses such as forensic accountants, financial analysts, or valuation experts. When their fees largely stem from providing expert testimony, it becomes crucial to scrutinize their objectivity, particularly in complex financial litigation where substantial sums of money are at stake. In conclusion, Travis Texas Jury Instruction — 5.2 addresses the unique circumstances when expert witness fees represent a significant portion of their income. By providing this instruction, the court seeks to ensure a fair trial by informing the jury of potential biases associated with financial dependency. It is essential to weigh any potential conflicts of interest while evaluating the credibility and objectivity of expert witnesses to arrive at a just verdict.