The recent amendments to Federal Rule of Evidence 702 are meant to clarify the requirements for a Daubert hearing and to address the failure of judges to properly perform their gatekeeping function as to forensic science evidence. The forensic science community will understand that the burden is clearly on the proponent of forensic science evidence. The community will also understand that under the revised rule the judge must decide if the reliability of the proffered evidence has been established to be "more likely than not" to the satisfaction of the judge before trial and not left to the jury.

Attorneys and expert witnesses will understand the changed requirements for the admission of expert forensic science testimony under the recent amendments to the Federal Rule of Evidence 702.

They will understand the clarification of the burden of proof at a Daubert hearing and how it will affect their preparation for trial.

About our Presenter:

Judge Donald E. Shelton was a Circuit Judge in Ann Arbor, Michigan for almost 25 years. During his time on the bench, he served as Chief Judge of the Circuit, Juvenile and Probate Courts. The Michigan Constitution requires that judges leave the bench at age 70. Since then, he has been a Professor at the University of Michigan Dearborn where he most recently served as the Director of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Program and Director of the University's Justice Reform Project. Born in Jackson, Judge Shelton earned his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University, his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School, his Masters degree in Criminology from Eastern Michigan University, and his PhD in Judicial Studies from the University of Nevada.

Dr. Shelton is a prolific author, particularly in the field of forensic science evidence His doctoral dissertation was "Criminal Adjudication: The Challenges of Forensic Science Evidence in the Early 21st Century" and his most recent books include "Forensic Science in Court: Challenges in the 21st Century" and "Forensic Science Evidence: Can the Law Keep up with Science?". He has published many articles and research papers and was one of the earliest published researchers into the so-called "CSI Effect" and the expectation of jurors for scientific evidence. Judge Shelton is a Fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and past Chair of the AAFS Jurisprudence Section. Most recently he served as a member and committee chair of the Michigan Governor's Forensic Science Task Force.

This course has been approved for 1 CFLC credit.

If you are a FEWA member, please log in to your online account before you register for any FEWA event to ensure you receive member pricing. If you are not logged in, you will be charged the non-member price.