Does the Mississippi Rules of Evidence require an expert to disclose the underlying facts and data of their opinion?

The Mississippi Rules of Evidence stipulate that while an expert can provide an opinion based on specialized knowledge, they are not always required to disclose their underlying facts and data unless a court mandates it. This aligns with the principle of evidentiary disclosure and the court's discretion.

Under Rule 703, an expert may base their opinion on facts or data that they have been made aware of or personally observed, even if those facts are not admissible in evidence themselves. However, the rule also provides that the specific disclosure of that underlying data to the other parties is at the court's discretion. If the court finds it necessary for the transparency of the case or the evaluation of the expert's opinion, it may require such disclosure.

This means that while experts generally provide their conclusions based on their expertise and the data available to them, the requirement to divulge such details is not automatic but contingent on judicial evaluation and necessity.