A Guide to Forensic Testimony: The Art and Practice of Presenting Testimony as an Expert Technical Witness

Chapter 6. Ethical Rules for Technical Experts

There are a number of ways to characterize the different legal and ethical rules that apply to experts who become involved in the litigation process. One way is to consider first the ethical rules that define and establish professionalism for trial attorneys and judges and then examine how those rules are passed on to the experts who testify. The legal professional and ethical rules, with only minor variations from state to state, are designed to be self-imposed, subject to enforcement and discipline by the trial courts or appellate courts during the course of litigation. Furthermore, these rules, which are universally adopted by attorneys and judges, are enforced by ethics and disciplinary committees ...