ASC Workshop: Serving as an Expert in Disparity Cases

Session Submission Type: Workshop

Abstract/Description

Serving as an expert in disparity cases:

Marisa Omori, marisa.omori@umsl.edu
Jason Tsui, jtsui@policingequity.org

There is a burgeoning need for qualified experts who can translate research-based approaches to measuring disparities for legal audiences. This workshop focuses on serving as an expert witness on disparities in the criminal legal system, where we apply our academic expertise to give a statement of opinion to the court. We discuss the skills needed for functioning as an expert witness, including: working with legal practitioners; translating data and analysis to legal settings; understanding norms and epistemological differences between legal and academic frameworks; and testifying. Using the 2020 California Racial Justice Act as a case study, the goal of the workshop is to empower academics to serve as an expert on disparities in legal settings. The hands-on training is aimed at scholars at all levels of experience, including early career academics and graduate students.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops. No special software is needed.

Sub Unit

• Area XVII. Workshops / Other Workshops

Instructors

• Marisa Omori, University of Missouri-St. Louis

• Jason Tsui, Center for Policing Equity

• Belle Yan, University of San Francisco School of Law