California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Alston, C072773 (Cal. App. 2018):
We give the court considerable latitude in determining the qualifications of an expert. We will not disturb the trial court's ruling unless we find the court abused its discretion. (People v. Kelly (1976) 17 Cal.3d 24, 39.) In denying defendant's request, the court stated: "You're not a recognized authority. You've never qualified as an expert on the subject. You've studied books by yourself largely in [a] law library, that doesn't make you an expert." The court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant's request to testify regarding police procedures and civil rights.
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