{"id":3034,"date":"2020-10-30T15:42:28","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T19:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timothydimoff.com\/?p=3034"},"modified":"2020-10-30T15:43:58","modified_gmt":"2020-10-30T19:43:58","slug":"expert-witnesses-testify-via-videoconferencing-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timothydimoff.com\/2020\/10\/30\/expert-witnesses-testify-via-videoconferencing-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Expert Witnesses Testify Via Videoconferencing [COVID-19]"},"content":{"rendered":"

The global coronavirus pandemic has and continues to have a profound effect on the way we do business, interact with others socially, and even how we conduct court cases, especially in the area of expert witnesses.<\/p>\n

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In the past, the preferred method for this type of testimony was to fly the experts in, prep them for a day or two, and have them testify. They were not considered to be “experts” until the judge and jury could see them, and each side could grill their credentials.<\/p>\n

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Since March, all of that has been tossed on its head. Depending on the state and case, expert witnesses<\/a> have been eliminated or reduced for months. However, because there is no definitive end date to COVID-19 and many states are concerned about the escalating rates of this disease, remote appearances are taking shape, and judges are warming up to this way of testimony.<\/p>\n

Courts and Coronavirus<\/h2>\n

During this time of COVID-19, U.S. federal and state courts are taking various measures, including restricting visitors to court buildings, canceling or deferring hearings, and conducting only essential matters face-to-face.<\/p>\n

One of the measures being adopted by courts to limit the risk of spreading the virus includes encouraging or requiring more effective use of videoconferencing in place of face-to-face hearings. There are many benefits to using this technology, including:<\/p>\n