Has anyone ever used an expert witness in a family violence case? If so, how was the expert qualified? And was the expert allowed to go into effects of family violence on the victim and his or her desire to testify against the defendant?

try these



Whisenant v. State
Not Reported in S.W.3d, 2003 WL 1090504
Tex.App.-Waco,2003.
Mar 12, 2003 (Approx. 6 pages)

Zamora v. State
Not Reported in S.W.3d, 2000 WL 1757960
Tex.App.--El Paso,2000.
Nov 30, 2000 (Approx. 8 pages)

Borrego v. State
Not Reported in S.W.2d, 1998 WL 519444
Tex.App.-Dallas,1998.
Aug 24, 1998 (Approx. 6 pages)

Yes. When I was a Travis Co. prosecutor, we often used detectives from the family violence unit, or victim counselors from the police dept or crisis center, to discuss the cycle of violence, why victims recant, etc.

We qualified them simply by talking about education, training, experience, etc. Pretty standard stuff. No problem with Travis County judges-- though when I was in Williamson County (as a county attorney, not DA) the one time I had the opportunity to try that, I completely confused the judge who apparently had never heard of such a thing, and was not allowed to put the counselor on the stand.

If you have more questions I am happy to help...
georgette_oden (at) yahoo.com or (512) 936-1773 at the AGs office.

Georgette