Print this page The Land Surveyor as Expert Witness
Thomas Strong, P.L.S.
Course Outline
This course covers
the topic Testifying in court as an expert witness. It is important for the
Land Surveyor to understand the pitfalls associated with testifying in a court
of law
This course includes
a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding
of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Be better prepared to defend his surveys in court;
- Be able to avoid the pitfalls which can occur in the court room;
- Have a better understanding of the privileges he is accorded by the court and the responsibility they carry;
- Understand how the court evaluates the expert witness;
- Learn the procedures to follow when faced with the prospects of testifying in court;
- Understand the importance of the Surveyor's work product;
- Learn how to prepare for testimony;
- Understand the importance of credibility;
- Be familiar with the Surveyor-Attorney "Team";
- Understand why you should not volunteer information;
- Learn what to do if you make a mistake in your testimony; and
- Learn to appreciate
the privileges accorded an expert witness.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for Land Surveyors and other design professionals.
Benefit
to Attendees
Upon completion
of this course the Land Surveyor will be better prepared to defend his surveys
in court. He may also avoid many pitfalls, which can occur while in the court
room. The Land Surveyor will also have a better understanding of the privileges
he is accorded by the court and the responsibility they carry.
Course
Introduction
Increasingly, the
Surveyor is being required to defend his Surveys in court or to represent a
client in a boundary dispute. He should be acquainted with the definition of,
and privileges accorded, an expert witness, as well as the means to improve
his work products for maximum effectiveness. Helpful hints on actual testimony
are also suggested.
Course Content
The
Land Surveyor as Expert Witness (PDF
file 49 KB)
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Course
Summary
The Professional Land Surveyor is recognized in the judiciary system as an expert
in measurement and in boundaries. As such, he is permitted to express opinions
on matters not observed. The privileges he is accorded by the court carry large
responsibilities with them. The surveyor, if he is to retain the privileges
of an expert, must be qualified to render such testimony; he must produce complete,
professional products; he must state, in clear and unqualified language, the
precision and accuracies of his measurements; and he must testify with honesty,
fairness, and candor. The Professional Land Surveyor must be ever vigilant to
his primary responsibility in court: the truthfulness of his conclusions and
opinions, to the extent of his knowledge.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
