Regarding opinions on ultimate issues, which statement is true?

Regarding opinions on ultimate issues, which statement is true?

• A. An expert may not testify on the ultimate issue.
• B. An expert may testify only on scientific ultimate issues.
• C. An expert may testify only to underlying facts, not on the ultimate issue.
• D. An expert may testify in terms of opinion or inference and give reasons, including on the ultimate issue.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that expert testimony can address the ultimate questions in a case and may do so as an opinion that the jury can rely on, provided the expert also explains the reasoning and the facts supporting that opinion. In other words, an expert may offer conclusions about the ultimate issue and back them up with the underlying evidence and reasoning. This is why the statement that an expert may testify in terms of opinion or inference and give reasons, including on the ultimate issue, is correct. This isn’t limited to only underlying facts, nor restricted to purely scientific topics, and it isn’t barred simply because it involves a question the jury must decide. The rule allows the expert to express a judgment about the ultimate issue as long as the opinion is helpful and grounded in testimony the jury can evaluate.

The main idea is that expert testimony can address the ultimate questions in a case and may do so as an opinion that the jury can rely on, provided the expert also explains the reasoning and the facts supporting that opinion. In other words, an expert may offer conclusions about the ultimate issue and back them up with the underlying evidence and reasoning. This is why the statement that an expert may testify in terms of opinion or inference and give reasons, including on the ultimate issue, is correct.

This isn’t limited to only underlying facts, nor restricted to purely scientific topics, and it isn’t barred simply because it involves a question the jury must decide. The rule allows the expert to express a judgment about the ultimate issue as long as the opinion is helpful and grounded in testimony the jury can evaluate.