ABSTRACT
This chapter will provide an overview of the collaborative process of consulting with an outside professional on a defense team. In the legal realm, outside professionals are often referred to as “expert witnesses” and for purposes of this chapter, the legal term, “expert witness” or “expert,” will be employed. Legal and evidentiary guidelines related to the admissibility of testimony and disclosure requirements of an expert will be discussed together with highlighting of a handful of outside professionals commonly retained by defense counsel toward the best representation of their client’s interests, including forensic psychologists, clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, and victim outreach specialists (VOS). Additionally, practical suggestions and case examples to best foster the collaborative efforts between the defense team and the expert will be described. These include how a forensic social worker can both collaborate with an expert toward a comprehensive understanding of the client while supporting and advocating for the client as they engage in the process.
