Texas
How Enright v. Eli Lilly & Co. applies in Texas: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Other.
Texas law follows a strict standard for admissibility of expert testimony, similar to the Daubert standard applied federally. However, Texas courts also consider the reliability of the methodology used by expert witnesses under the Texas Rules of Evidence.
In Texas, the admissibility of expert testimony is governed by Rule 702 of the Texas Rules of Evidence, which requires that the testimony be based on sufficient facts or data, and that it be the product of reliable principles and methods.
The Texas Supreme Court ruled that expert testimony must be reliable and relevant, emphasizing that the expert's methodology must be scrutinized.
This case established that trial courts have discretion to determine the reliability of expert testimony and that they must assess whether the expert's opinion is based on scientifically valid reasoning.
The court confirmed that the expert's theory or technique should have been subjected to peer review and publication to be considered reliable.
Texas's approach generally aligns with the federal Daubert standard, emphasizing the necessity of reliability in expert testimony. However, Texas places slightly more emphasis on the specific context of the expert's testimony and its applicability to the case at hand compared to some federal circuits that are more permissive of expert opinions.
Knowledge of the standard for expert testimony is crucial for the Texas bar exam, as questions often test the application of Rule 702 and the reliability criteria established in state cases.