For this assignment, you will prepare for a direct examination in courtroom testimony. In the direct examination,
your credentials and background are reviewed to demonstrate to the court that you are qualified as an expert in
the matter at hand. How you were brought into the case, the methodology you brought to bear on the psycholegal issues, and your overall findings are all typical topics minimally covered in the direct examination.
The direct examination poses a challenge for the expert and the attorney who hired the expert. The bases for
the expert’s opinion must be brought forth in a way that satisfies the rules of evidence and that is sensible to
judge or jury. At the same time, since the later cross-examination is typically limited to issues raised in direct
examination, more is not better, since it provides greater cross-examination opportunity. Striking a balance is
typically orchestrated by the attorney but requires strong communication between attorney and the expert.