Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Understand The Concept Of Statistics For Lawyers

By Patty Goff


Modern day administration and delivery of justice requires the scientific skills provided by statistics. This explains the increasing importance of statistics for lawyers as it becomes a core unit in legal studies. It is simplified or abridged to make it easier for attorneys to understand considering that they are art oriented. The skills acquired demystify evidence especially what is presented by expert witnesses.

Probability and statistical approach has made forensic evidence stronger and more reliable when solving crimes. This has been made more crucial when one is dealing with crimes without straightforward evidence. This realization has seen many law schools include it as a unit in legal studies. Attorneys are also pursuing the course upon graduation. The major units studied are predisposition and probability.

Medical cases have brought to fore the need for statistical knowledge and understanding. The evidence presented in these cases is forensic in nature. Expert witnesses present some of the concepts in a complicated manner which is likely to disadvantage the attorney. The skills acquired are crucial in defense preparation.

Statistical and probability reasoning are very strong arguments when presenting evidence. When attorneys understand the basics or even the details, they are better positioned to win cases in court. These arguments are based on scientifically verified data that is difficult to discount. The manner of argument raises the standards during presentation of evidence.

Lawyers are crucial players in legislative processes. Relying on statistical inferences creates legislation that is factual and transformational. Such legislation has greater impact on the society compared to others that are based on instincts. It gives an impression of a professional approach to social transformation.

Legal practitioners like judges and forensic scientists deliver better quality work. They are competitive in the employment field since their level of delivery is raised. Their arguments and decisions are consistent and based on facts. This knowledge keeps them away from costly assumptions and errors that are informed by social biases and personal prejudice.

Legal practitioners require statistical knowledge when dealing with cases or issues bordering identification evidence, law on securities, capital punishment and mass torts, among others. The books and learning materials available are simplified and come in volumes that determine the details of each subtopic. Readers are provided with numerous real life examples to contextualize the concepts.

It is convenient to study through online modules offered by academic departments and professional associations. These bodies will issue you with a certificate upon completion of the course. There are opportunities to advance and specialize in order to become a consultant. Advanced knowledge helps attorneys and judges to be better prepared for expert witnesses and forensic evidence.

Some of the units covered include significance, regression, random variables, sampling and combining evidence. There is emphasis on descriptive tools, compound events as well as epidemiology. These concepts are vital when evidence is being interpreted and when experts present their findings.

There are cases that were won or lost at the statistical juncture. This made it important for legal practitioners to understand these concepts in order to raise their grasp of evidence and expert presentations. Online classes make it easy and convenient to complete your studies at your own pace.




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