The role of expert witness provides opportunities for public service and professional development, but it has its dangers. Many people regard expert witnesses as charlatans whose testimony is bought, and who will say anything to get their extraordinarily high fee. The spectacle of two supposed experts vehemently disagreeing on an issue in court only fuels that image. Certain areas of litigation tend to produce "professional" witnesses, but too-frequent testimony from a particular bias can make such an expert appear self-serving.
It is vital that scientists improve their effectiveness as witnesses to make the most out of the experience professionally and personally and to bring their best to the judicial process of which they are a part.
There is much discussion of how well any one expert's testimony represents the mainstream of thought in a given field. You must decide where you fit in the range of opinion in your field ...
