Terms Used In Louisiana Code of Evidence 705

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.

A.  Civil cases.  In a civil case, the expert may testify in terms of opinion or inference and give his reasons therefor without prior disclosure of the underlying facts or data, unless the court requires otherwise.  The expert may in any event be required to disclose the underlying facts or data on cross-examination.

B.  Criminal cases.  In a criminal case, every expert witness must state the facts upon which his opinion is based, provided, however, that with respect to evidence which would otherwise be inadmissible such basis shall only be elicited on cross-examination.

Acts 1988, No. 515, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989.