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Statistical Evidence and Expert Testimony on Complex Matters of Finance or Technology
Increasingly, statistical evidence has played a major role in the courtroom most obviously in celebrated criminal cases involving DNA evidence, but also in complex civil litigation involving patents, trade secrets, copyrights, and in anti-trust allegations. While statistics provide a powerful tool for organizing evidence and supporting claims, they can be daunting for lay jurors and even for judges. Even those with substantial experience in a given domain are apt to approach statistical issues and argument with great care, and sometimes with befuddlement.
But, presented properly, statistical evidence can clarify. Ultimately there is little about statistical evidence of the sort presented in the courtroom that cannot be presented in a way that engages rather than overwhelming or frustrating a jury.
The same can be said about expert testimony on matters of technology, and other fields calling upon specialized technical knowledge such as medicine or finance. It is not that jurors can readily be given a deep understanding in such matters. Rather, it is that there is little point in presenting evidence or testimony that cannot be understood, at least in terms of the conclusions being drawn, and be seen as an honest attempt by the expert to enlighten rather than obscure. Trial Analysis Group has experience as educators as well as advocates in these regards, and can help in securing experts to prepare exhibits that aid understanding.