What type of challenges do juror expectations and misconceptions bring to today’s courtroom?

myth vs. fact

Myth: All scientific evidence can be presented in the courtroom.

Fact: To be admissible in court, evidence generally has to meet one of two standards, commonly known as “Frye” and “Daubert” (referring to the two landmark rulings by these names). The Frye standard takes into account the general acceptance of the analytical technique by the forensic community; the Daubert standard relies on the expert witness’ qualifications, and the principles and methods underlying the forensic technique. [Source: Focus Group on Scientific and Forensic Evidence in the Courtroom, NIJ, 2007.] .pdf download

surveys reveal…

46% of jurors expect to see some kind of scientific evidence in every criminal case. [1]


Honorable Thane B. Covert

Pinellas Circuit Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit Biography »

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