Lear v. Fields case brief summary

Lear v. Fields
AZ 2011

Facts- Arizona Legislature Enacts a “STATUTE” essentially mandating that Arizona Courts Apply the Daubert Test To Expert Testimony As Opposed to the Frye Test. 

Holding- Statute Infringes on the Arizona Supreme Court’s Rulemaking Power and thus, Unconstitutional.

Reasoning- Statute is PROCEDURAL in Nature.  Statute Implicates a GENERAL RULE OF EVIDENCE, that, By its own terms, Applied to the Admission of Expert Testimony in “ANY” CIVIL OR CRIMINAL ACTION, AND, it Did NOT ALTER “SUBSTANTIVE” Law.