This post is from Attorney Edward A. (“Ted”) Bills who can be reached at  719.444.1000  or at   http://www.SpringsAttorney.com.

Anything provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and by no means constitutes an attorney-client relationship between a visitor and Attorney Ted Bills.  Any reader of this blog is urged to consult competent legal counsel regarding specific points of law and not construe any material transmitted via this blog as legal advice.

Expert Witnesses:

During the O.J. Simpson murder trial (where O.J. was acquitted on the criminal charges) and the subsequent civil trial (where O.J. was found responsible for the victims’ “wrongful death”) the public was introduced to something that lawyers and other legal professionals know very well – expert witnesses and expert consultants. These professionals often play important and sometimes critical roles in litigation. The more important or complex the matter, the more likely you are to see experts involved for each side.

Who can be an expert?

Anyone with special knowledge, skill, experience, training and/or education beyond the experience of ordinary members of the public can offer services as an expert. It is up to the court to accept someone as an expert if that person is providing testimony in a capacity as an expert. 

In the Simpson cases these experts ranged from DNA experts, knife experts, crime scene investigators, forensic pathologists, glove manufacturers (if the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit) and even experts in police practices.

The role these experts play will vary from case to case. There are times when an expert will simply serve as a consultant to the lawyer and be known only to the lawyer while, at other times, the expert will be used only at the pre-trial stage, perhaps to provide a supporting affidavit regarding a single element of the case. Finally, in some cases the expert may serve as a witness at trial or serve various combination roles.

How much is an expert paid?

The simple answer is “It depends.”

Experts are not paid for their testimony but are paid for their time and at rates comparable to their normal fees from other assignments.

Most experts charge a minimum fee (and these minimum fees can be very expensive). Some experts refuse to accept minor matters that generate little income.

Time billed by an expert can include time on the witness stand, time spent studying files, reviewing evidence, and writing reports, time spent meeting with lawyers or the client, time spent at the courthouse, time on the witness stand, and even time spent traveling.

Time on the witness stand is typically only a very small portion of time an expert will spend on a matter.

Attorney Ted Bills has one mission – to fight for the rights of personal injury victims and those who have been devastated by the misconduct of others – he represents clients which an aggressive approach designed to provide SWIFT justice. Attorney Bills is a member of the American Bar Association, the Colorado Bar Association, the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, and the El Paso County (Colorado Springs) Bar Association. He works in tandem with his clients to provide assertive, business-savvy, legal services that solve problems, reduce delays, and minimize costs.