The novice psychiatric expert witness undergoes intense scrutiny and enters an unfamiliar legal system. Caution must be taken to maintain professional integrity and avoid bias. Educating the court about matters pertaining to mental health is a critical function of the expert. Forming well-reasoned opinions that are communicated with clear language enhances this task. An expert who is both knowledgeable and well prepared will better serve the court, and is less likely to be intimidated by the adversarial process.