California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Simi, H035783 (Cal. App. 2011):
Under the above principles, nothing precludes police officers from qualifying to offer either lay or expert opinions on drug intoxication and influence. What is important is that the opinion is grounded on and limited to the officer's actual personal experience and training. " 'We are required to uphold the trial judge's ruling on the question of an expert's qualifications absent an abuse of discretion. [Citation.] Such abuse of discretion will be found only where " 'the evidence shows that a witness clearly lacks qualification as an expert . . . .' " [Citation.]' " (People v. Wallace (2008) 44 Cal.4th 1032, 1062-1063, quoting People v. Chavez (1985) 39 Cal.3d 823, 828.) Questions regarding the degree of
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