title: How to be an effective expert witness.
abstract: Service as an expert witness can be professionally and financially rewarding. A veterinarian should not assume the responsibilities of being an expert witness, however, unless he or she believes in the case of the party that seeks to hire them. The veterinarian must also be willing to undergo extensive pre-trial preparation to be an effective expert witness. Just as importantly, the veterinarian must possess the temperament and mental discipline to follow the fundamental rules of testifying in order to maintain professionalism and credibility on the witness stand.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Agricultural Law Research and Information, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Copeland
mesh_terms: D005104:Expert Testimony; D007603:Jurisprudence; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011996:Records / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States; D014730:Veterinary Medicine