Expert Witness Testimony Training
June 12, 2018
Widener University, Commonwealth Law School
3800 Vartan Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110
8AM-5PM
Audience
Pennsylvania-based prosecutors, and advocates who have successfully completed the application process
Summary
This Expert Witness Testimony training is a free one day training seminar designed for prosecutors and victim advocates who respond to cases of sexual assault. The training will discuss common victim behaviors and sexual assault dynamics and their impact on fact finders’ assessments of victim credibility. This training will also review Pennsylvania’s law that took effect on August 28, 2012 and permits the introduction of expert testimony to explain victim behaviors in sexual assault cases. The training will also discuss precedent from other jurisdictions that have long permitted the use of this type of evidence at trial and a discussion of the Commonwealth vs. Olivo decision. Presenters will guide participants through the process of deciding whether to introduce expert testimony as well as summarize the most effective way to use expert witnesses to educate judges and juries about common victim behaviors that may not otherwise be understood. In addition, the training will identify ways to work with experts to prepare a case for trial even if the testimony will not be introduced.
This Expert Witness Testimony Training will use hypothetical case problems, role-playing exercises, small group discussions, mini-lectures, and faculty demonstrations. Rather than merely attending a series of lectures, participants will be encouraged to draw on their own experience and re-examine their current attitudes and practices by employing active case evaluation and preparation. The highly interactive format enables prosecutors and victim advocates from different counties, with varied levels of experience, to learn from one another and engage in true-to-life scenarios that are readily transferable to their everyday work.
This training has been approved by PACLE for 5.5 hours of continuing legal education. The CLEs are being offered at a rate of $1.50/credit or $9.00 total.