Opinion ID: 2087006
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Defendant's voir dire of Dr. Dietz.

Text: Under Delaware law, an expert must identify the underlying bases for an opinion before actually stating the opinion. To enforce this concept Delaware Rule of Evidence 705(b), grants a trial judge discretion to allow an adverse party, upon that party's motion, to conduct a limited voir dire of the expert. [5] D.R.E. 705(b) (1987). See also Fensterer v. State, Del.Supr., 509 A.2d 1106 (1986). As the official comment to Rule 705(b) indicates, this examination should be limited to establishing that there is sufficient evidence to permit the expert to express an opinion. Moreover, the comment observes that Care must be taken to avoid having the jury hear the ultimate opinion at the time of voir dire. D.R.E. 705(b) (Comment). Re now claims that the trial court's limitation of voir dire to the bases of Dr. Dietz's opinion, rather than the opinion itself, was error. Re argues that his counsel was unable to defend him properly since he could not ascertain Dr. Dietz's opinion regarding the defense of extreme emotional distress. This claim is groundless. Under a plain reading of Rule 705(b), and its comments, the trial judge must limit voir dire to questions regarding the bases of, and not the substance of, the expert's opinion. If anything, this is more liberal than either the Federal or Uniform Rules of Evidence. As the Delaware commentary notes in pertinent part: The Committee believed that F.R.E. 705 adopts an improper approach in that it would permit an expert witness to testify without first establishing the facts and data upon which he bases his opinion. Rule 705 as revised by the Committee normally requires an expert witness to first establish what his opinion is based upon. The judge, in his discretion, may permit voir dire examination in the presence of or out of the presence of the jury to ascertain if there are sufficient underlying facts or data in the record to permit the expert to testify as to his opinion.