What is the test for certifying a witness as an expert?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from Miller v. Los Angeles County Flood Control Dist., 106 Cal.Rptr. 1, 505 P.2d 193, 8 Cal.3d 689 (Cal. 1973):
[8 Cal.3d 701] We are unable to accept this argument. To determine that a witness qualifies as an expert the judge must ascertain 'if he has special knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education sufficient to qualify him as an expert on the subject to which his testimony relates.' (Evid. Code, 720, subd. (a).) As we said in Huffman v. Lindquist (1951) 37 Cal.2d 465, 476, 234 P.2d 34, 41: 'It is for the trial court to determine, in the exercise of a sound discretion, the competency and qualification of an expert witness to give his opinion in
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