State Court Finds Complete Defense Includes Expert Witness

Posted Wednesday, June 7, 2017 by Andrew Charles Huff

A defendant has a right to present a complete defense, which includes obtaining an expert witness at trial, held Washington Court-Division II.

Christopher Lyons was charged with second degree assault. A competency evaluation found that Lyons suffered from significant delusions surrounding the charges against him and that he was incapable of assisting with his defense.

But Lyons disagreed and argued that the trial court violated his right to present a complete defense by denying him the ability to present a defense expert, a qualified medical expert who was able to testify on his behalf.

The Court agreed with Lyons and ruled that a defendant has a due process right to present a complete defense. In some cases, this right to present a complete defense includes obtaining an expert at trial.

Jun. 6, 2017 - 47231-7 - State Of Washington, Respondent V Christopher Lyons