Webinar Archive:  Expert Witness Series

Webinar date:  May 1, 2013

 

Description

This webinar is designed for community-based domestic violence advocates who are considering working as expert witnesses, but have little or no experience in the legal setting.  This webinar may also be helpful for other professionals (academics, therapists, etc.) who are interested in working as a domestic violence expert witness. This webinar includes a general overview of the role of expert witnesses, descriptions of the differences between the legal settings in which one may work, and information about the importance of understanding one's role, and the goal and function of specific legal arenas.

​

This webinar includes a discussion of a) the importance of understanding core concepts about the legal system and elements of the different legal systems in which experts commonly testify; b) what is meant by expert witness; c) the differences between fact witnesses and expert/opinion witnesses; and d) the differences between general expert testimony v. case/survivor specific expert testimony.

​

About the Presenter

Cindene Pezzell is the Legal Coordinator at the National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women (NCDBW). Before joining NCDBW in 2008, Cindene was an assistant public defender in Philadelphia, where she focused primarily on trial work.  Cindene is Lead Staff on NCDBW's Expert Project, which is funded by the Office on Violence Against Women, and has been working in that capacity to develop resources designed to increase the availability and effectiveness of expert testimony for victims of ongoing battering.  In addition to coordinating the Legal Team at the National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women, Cindene provides direct technical assistance to defense teams, researches and develops legal materials, and conducts training programs.

​

Click here to access recording.  A copy of the PowerPoint (and any other documents from the webinar) is available by clicking here.