Rule 707 Use of Learned Treatises for Impeachment

When an expert witness testifies in court, the other side can use published books, medical journals, or similar materials to challenge what the expert said. This is called impeachment, which means using information to question whether the expert's opinion is correct.

Not just any book or article can be used this way. The publication has to cover a topic like medicine, science, history, or another field of study. It also has to be recognized as a trustworthy source, either by the expert themselves, by another expert, or by the judge.

If the material qualifies, the attorney can read a passage from it out loud in court to show the jury. However, the actual book or article cannot be handed to the jury as an exhibit. The words can be heard, but the publication itself does not go into evidence.