[incredulous in PA]

The only problem is that these are not generally crime lab technicians. The are med techs from local hospitals doing these tests in the middle of their real work, trying to help sick people get better. They are not trained in court room tactics or testimony. The go into work every night and work all night and then have to get up and go to court to have a lawyer harangue them over their professional qualifications and a single test that was done 6 or more months ago.

[Secret Agent Man]

I still do not mind the fact that people have a right to be able to have said expert witnesses in court and see these people and cross examine them.

There are a lot of these people whose main line of business is being an expert witness.

[xzins]

The Constitution is the Constitution. It says you have the right to be confronted by the witnesses against you.

That seems clear to me. If the US of A doesn’t like that part of the Constitution it is free to change it by amendment.

[Clump]

Yes it is burdensome for the government to have to follow the Constitution.
The State needs to prosecute wisely.
Either follow the rules or dismiss the case.
I have been on both sides of this as an attorney.
The right to confront and cross examine is absolutely critical to getting a fair trial.
Scalia and Thomas got it right.
I'm concerned about Alito and Roberts on criminal procedure issues.

[therut]

Yep. That is the problem. Plus when they are sitting in the court rooom for hours someone else has to be called in on their day off to work. It is a BIG hassle.