What is required for a witness to qualify as an expert under Rule 702?

To qualify as an expert under Rule 702, a witness must apply their specialized knowledge, training, or experience reliably to the facts of the case. This means that the witness should not only have relevant qualifications, such as education or experience, but also be able to demonstrate how their expertise is relevant to the specific issues in the case.

The focus of Rule 702 is on the reliability and relevance of the expert's testimony, which involves the application of established principles and methodologies to the opinion being offered. This is crucial for ensuring that the testimony assists the trier of fact in understanding the evidence or determining a fact in issue. The expert must show that their opinion is grounded in sound principles that are applicable to the case at hand.

While having a formal education and experience in public speaking might contribute to a witness's qualifications, these factors alone do not meet the requirement of applying principles reliably. Similarly, the ability to persuade a jury is not a criterion for expert qualification; rather, the expert's role is to provide insightful, reliable information based on specialized knowledge. Thus, the correct choice highlights the essential element of demonstrating how expertise can be applied to the case facts.