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May a Judge Render a Scientific Opinion Without Expert Advice?

What if a judge decides to render a decision on an issue on which no one has asked the judge to opine, and on which no evidence has been presented? That is what a judge in Pennsylvania did in 2015 when she decided ' despite the fact that the issue had not been raised by either party ' that a litigant mother had a "severe undiagnosed and untreated mental illness."

6 minute read October 01, 2016 at 12:00 AM
By
Lynne Z. Gold-Bikin
May a Judge Render a Scientific Opinion Without Expert Advice?

As family law attorneys, we recognize the power of the bench and acknowledge that judges control the courtroom, advise us how to settle our issues in conference, and decide our cases after hearing.

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