Opinion ID: 2065993
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Expert Travel Fees

Text: While Lopez-Solis does not take issue with the costs imposed for the testimony of toxicologist Castorena, he challenges the award of costs for Castorena's travel from Texas. Lopez-Solis argues that travel expenses incurred as part of an expert's preparation and testimony are limited by Minn. Stat. § 357.22 (1996), which provides: The fees to be paid to witnesses shall be as follows    (2)[f]or travel to and from the place of attendance, to be estimated from the witness's residence, if within the state, or from the boundary line of the state where the witness crossed it, if without the state, 28 cents per mile. Id. However, the same section further states that [n]o person is obliged to attend as a witness in any civil case unless one day's attendance and travel fees are paid or tendered the witness in advance. Id. Lopez-Solis' argument that section 357.22 limits expert travel costs to mileage within the state is misplaced. An award of expert witness fees is discretionary with the trial court and will be reversed only where there is an abuse of discretion. See Carpenter v. Mattison, 300 Minn. 273, 280, 219 N.W.2d 625, 631 (1974). Section 357.25 is the controlling statute regarding the award of costs and fees associated with an expert's preparation for and testimony at trial, and the legislature afforded trial courts discretion in determining what fees are just and reasonable. Minn.Stat. § 357.25. The trial court was within its discretion in awarding travel costs of $1,168.60 for the toxicologist's travel. [5]