Criminal and professional liability of expert witnesses

Abstract

The role of expert witnesses in the administration of justice is getting more and more important because of the development of many branches of life. Nowadays the administration of justice is forced to call in expert witnesses much more often than it was in the past. It is due to many unusual problems and issues which may be the subject matter of trials. An expert witness, who is a specialist, gives his/her opinion on technical matters of a subject and objective point of view. It enables to reach a decision. Among expert witnesses there are those who are permanent experts appointed by the court, and they are listed; and those who are not permanent, so, not listed. If a listed expert violates the law, he/she is professionally and criminally liable. His/her professional liability means that this person may be deprived of the right to exercise his function or job. If a listed expert commits crime (usually "mental forgery"), the punishment is fine or from 3 months to 5 years imprisonment.