Judges are tasked with being the “gatekeepers” of scientific evidence in the courtroom. How is a trial judge to do this? What are the legal bases that must be considered and how should an expert witness be qualified and evaluated? These and other relevant questions are answered by the most comprehensive scientific evidence bench book ever published.
Available free on this website as well as the National Judicial College website, the Science Bench Book for Judges has 14 authors ranging from the Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, an Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court, retired Associate Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Justices of the Courts of Appeals from New York and Arizona, trial judges and practitioners. The Assistant Director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City and the President of the National Judicial College address “What is Science?” and introduce the bench book.
The book is searchable and downloadable so a judge may have it by her side while ruling from the bench. We hope you find the Bench Book useful and helpful in your work.
To download the Bench Book, click on the image to the right.
Click on the image to download the complete Bench Book. Below are individual sections.
The National Judicial College (NJC) and The Justice Speakers Institute, LLC (JSI) are proud to present the most comprehensive scientific evidence bench book ever published.
Stephen G. Breyer
Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court
"It has become ever more apparent that judges must have some understanding of science. This book is a helpful and necessary effort to provide judges with knowledge and techniques that will help them work with scientific subject matter."
This first-of-its kind book for state court judges is a practical guide to the key types of scientific evidence judges are likely to encounter on the bench. All judges, new or experienced, will find it helpful when considering complex scientific evidence.
Benes Z. Aldana, Judge (Ret.), President & CEO of the National Judicial College
The Science Bench Book is a wonderful tool for the judiciary and provides an organized and well thought out resource on the admissibility of scientific testimony—a tool judges have not had in the past.
Kim Ball, Research Professor and Director Justice Programs Office, American University, School of Public Affairs
The National Judicial College and Justice Speaker’s Institute Science Bench Book for Judges is a premier guide for jurists to effectively manage novel scientific evidence and technical issues that are increasingly coming before the courts.
Robert J. Torres, Jr., Justice, Guam Supreme Court, President, American Judges Association
Scientific Evidence in the Courtroom
- Acknowledgements
- Table of Contents
- Introduction: Why This Bench Book
- What is Science
- Scientific Evidence
- Introduction to Statistical Thinking for Judges
- Pre-Trial Civil
- Pre-Trial Criminal (No link)
- Trial
- Juvenile Court
- The Expert Witness
- Evidence Based Sentencing
- Post Sentencing Supervision
- Civil Post Trial Proceedings
- Conclusion: Judges as Gatekeepers
- Appendix 1: Frye/Daubert--State by State
- Appendix 2: Sample Orders for Criminal Discovery
- Appendix 3: Biographies
Additional Options
Click on the links to the left to download a particular section of the Science Bench Book for Judges.
The Science Bench Book for Judges was developed under grant number SJI-18-T-040 from the State Justice Institute. The points of view expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State Justice Institute, The National Judicial College, or the Justice Speakers Institute.
Have questions or want to learn more?
Ready to retain JSI’s services?
Copyright © 2022 Justice Speakers Institute, LLC.
All rights reserved.
The characteristics of honor, leadership and stewardship are integral to the success of JSI.
Therefore the Partners and all Associates subscribe to a Code of Professional Ethics.