The sequestration of expert witnesses falls under Oklahoma’s Rules of Evidence, § 2615. OKLA. STAT. tit. 12, § 2615 (West 2017). This rule requires the court to exclude witnesses from the courtroom as to not hear the testimony of other witnesses upon a request by the court or by the court’s own order. Id. The rule has five exceptions of individuals that cannot be excluded and expert witnesses fall into the third exception. Id. The third exception is for “a person whose presence is shown by a party to be essential to the presentation of the party’s cause.” Id. It is common practice in Oklahoma to not exclude experts from the courtroom even if a request to do so is made by a party. Clark v. Continental Tank Co., 744 P.2d 949 (Okla. 1987). However, an expert can be excluded from the courtroom if not doing so prejudices the “substantial rights” of the opposing party. Sharp v. Pawhuska Ice Co., 217 P. 214 (Okla. 1923).
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