Bill > SB1309

This bill modifies the legal standards for admitting expert testimony in Missouri courts, creating different rules for specific types of cases and other legal proceedings. For cases involving family law, juvenile courts, probate, and certain other specific legal actions, experts can testify if their specialized knowledge will help understand evidence, and their opinions can address ultimate issues. In other types of actions, a higher standard is established: the expert's testimony must be more likely than not helpful, based on sufficient and reliable facts, and derived from scientifically sound principles. The bill clarifies that experts can base opinions on facts they've been made aware of, even if those underlying facts might not independently be admissible in court. Importantly, in criminal cases, experts are prohibited from directly opining on a defendant's mental state or whether they committed the alleged crime, as those determinations are reserved for the jury. The bill also allows experts to provide opinions and their reasoning without first detailing all underlying facts, though they may be required to disclose those facts if cross-examined. The legislation maintains an existing provision allowing property owners to testify about their land's reasonable market value.

Justice

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=151