What is the focus of the Daubert Rule?

The focus of the Daubert Rule is on the reliability of scientific evidence in court. This legal standard emerged from the Supreme Court case Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which set criteria for determining the admissibility of expert testimony in federal courts. Rather than simply allowing all expert testimony, the Daubert Rule requires judges to act as gatekeepers who assess whether the reasoning or methodology underlying the testimony is scientifically valid and applicable to the facts of the case. This is crucial in ensuring that juries are not swayed by unreliable or non-scientific claims, thereby promoting a higher standard for the types of evidence that can be presented in legal proceedings.

By emphasizing the reliability of scientific evidence, the Daubert Rule plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the judicial process and ensuring that only scientifically sound information influences jurors' decisions.