AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) Practice Test

Which witness testifies about something they actually observed?

1. Expert Witness

2. Lay Witness

3. Percipient Witness

4. Character Witness

The correct answer is: Percipient Witness

A percipient witness is someone who directly observes an event or a specific situation and can provide firsthand testimony regarding their observations. Their role is crucial in legal proceedings because their experiences and knowledge come from direct experience, making their testimony valuable and often compelling. For example, if someone witnessed a car accident and is called to testify about what they saw, that witness is providing a direct account of their observations. This distinguishes them from other types of witnesses who may provide testimony based on expertise, general knowledge about a person's character, or secondhand information. In contrast, an expert witness is brought into cases to provide specialized knowledge or insights based on their professional background rather than personal observation of the events in question. A lay witness provides general observations but may not have the unique firsthand insight that a percipient witness does. A character witness speaks to a person’s character or reputation, rather than to events they have observed directly. Thus, the significance of a percipient witness lies in their ability to recount specific events as they directly experienced them.