Stephen Raffle, MD, is a clinical psychiatrist and forensic psychiatrist located in Kentfield, CA. He has managed a private outpatient practice in Kentfield, CA, since 1970 and has additional experience as a neuropsychiatrist. Stephen Raffle, MD, has drawn on his extensive psychiatric knowledge to serve as an expert witness on numerous occasions.
In the United States, use of an expert witness during a trial is common. Half of felony prosecutions involve expert witnesses, while up to 80 percent of civil cases make use of expert witness testimony. For some, it can feel like an overwhelming experience to provide “expert” testimony while under oath. There are a few things psychiatrists can keep in mind in order to effectively prepare for their time in an expert witness role. Generally speaking, the overriding purpose of a psychiatrist is to help individuals, namely the jury, understand psychiatric terms and themes and how these facts may have influenced the case at hand. Attorneys frequently ask expert witnesses to perform psychiatric evaluations and to share their opinions on relevant criminal matters, including an individual’s sanity and how it should or should not mitigate penalties for any crimes they are found guilty of. Psychiatrists may also be asked to discuss civil matters such as malpractice or psychological damage an individual may have incurred. While expert witnesses are valued across a variety of industries, the United States Supreme Court has specifically discussed the important part psychiatry has played over the course of criminal proceedings. Psychiatrists may also function as fact witnesses, a role similar to that of an expert witness but one dealing solely in direct observations. Lastly, psychiatrists should remember that while they are working to educate the court on psychiatric issues, they should strive to maintain an objective, transparent presence at all times. Any opinions offered should be clearly rooted in factual data and witnesses should clearly outline both their abilities and limitations as an expert witness before speaking.
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AuthorExperienced Kentfield, CA, Psychiatrist Stephen Raffle, MD. Archives
June 2019
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