Rule 5.704 Opinion on an ultimate issue

Here's a plain English summary of this rule.

A witness can give their opinion on the main question the judge or jury has to decide, and that opinion is still allowed as evidence. In other words, an expert or other witness does not have to dance around the real issue in the case just because their opinion touches on the exact thing that will decide who wins or loses.

For example, if the case is about whether someone was negligent, a witness could say they believe the person acted negligently. This kind of testimony is not automatically thrown out just because it speaks directly to the ultimate question in the case.

Keep in mind that other rules still apply. The opinion must still be based on good grounds, come from a qualified witness if it is expert testimony, and follow the normal rules about what kind of opinions are allowed. This rule just removes one specific reason (that it addresses the ultimate issue) for blocking that testimony.