My Cousin Vinny Analysis
My Cousin Vinny Synopsis
Cynthia S. Fridlich While there are many metaphors in My Cousin Vinny that would be interesting to explore, and we certainly could delve into the “transformative moments” that are peppered throughout the movie, the more interesting aspect of the movie is in the area of expert witnessing. To jump right in, when all seems lost for the jailed boys, William and Stanley (accused of murdering a store clerk, but thinking they had only accidentally shoplifted a can of tuna), Vinny (shifting for a moment to another scene) suddenly sees something in a picture taken by his girlfriend, Lisa, of the escape car 's tire tracks. Now, since we know from the dripping faucet scene that Lisa is somewhat an expert in tools and …show more content…
He doesn 't want her help even though she keeps trying to help him. But he will soon recognize the value of her unconventional talents that will play such a critical and pivotal part of the trial. An expert witness is one who has knowledge or experience beyond what is considered common. Expert witnesses can bring credibility to a legal case, or they can be useful to cast doubt on evidence or facts presented by the opposing attorney. Snap! Lisa has the experience and knowledge of cars beyond the average witness or players in the court! “Personal knowledge and experience can be the basis of an expert’s testimony” (Dvoskin and Guy, 2008, p. 204). Before testifying before a jury, an expert witness must be qualified by the court, based on expertise, accomplishments, and training directly related to the subject matter of the case. Qualifying an expert witness must be governed by a judge very carefully to ensure that the expert’s testimony is convincing enough to allow its inclusion at trial, and is accepted and believed by the jurors. Impressing the jury with expert testimony is often crucial at trial. Snap! Lisa blew away the prosecution’s FBI forensic “expert” to the nether regions of faulty perceptions and unqualified
Cynthia S. Fridlich While there are many metaphors in My Cousin Vinny that would be interesting to explore, and we certainly could delve into the “transformative moments” that are peppered throughout the movie, the more interesting aspect of the movie is in the area of expert witnessing. To jump right in, when all seems lost for the jailed boys, William and Stanley (accused of murdering a store clerk, but thinking they had only accidentally shoplifted a can of tuna), Vinny (shifting for a moment to another scene) suddenly sees something in a picture taken by his girlfriend, Lisa, of the escape car 's tire tracks. Now, since we know from the dripping faucet scene that Lisa is somewhat an expert in tools and …show more content…
He doesn 't want her help even though she keeps trying to help him. But he will soon recognize the value of her unconventional talents that will play such a critical and pivotal part of the trial. An expert witness is one who has knowledge or experience beyond what is considered common. Expert witnesses can bring credibility to a legal case, or they can be useful to cast doubt on evidence or facts presented by the opposing attorney. Snap! Lisa has the experience and knowledge of cars beyond the average witness or players in the court! “Personal knowledge and experience can be the basis of an expert’s testimony” (Dvoskin and Guy, 2008, p. 204). Before testifying before a jury, an expert witness must be qualified by the court, based on expertise, accomplishments, and training directly related to the subject matter of the case. Qualifying an expert witness must be governed by a judge very carefully to ensure that the expert’s testimony is convincing enough to allow its inclusion at trial, and is accepted and believed by the jurors. Impressing the jury with expert testimony is often crucial at trial. Snap! Lisa blew away the prosecution’s FBI forensic “expert” to the nether regions of faulty perceptions and unqualified