Final answer:
Opinion evidence can be provided by both expert witnesses and lay witnesses, although expert opinions are given more weight in court due to their specialized knowledge and training. Courts also consider eyewitness testimony, and in social contexts, testimonial knowledge from non-experts can play a role in forming beliefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Opinion evidence is only given by court certified expert witnesses" is False. In legal proceedings, while expert opinion holds significant weight due to the specialized knowledge of the witness, it is not exclusively limited to experts. Lay witnesses can also provide opinions, so long as they are rationally based on their perception and helpful to clearly understand the witness's testimony or to determine a fact in issue.
Expert testimony is heavily relied upon due to the expert's training and experience, such as a forest ranger's knowledge of trail damage as opposed to that of a casual hiker. Their opinions are credible when they reflect the consensus among experts, lack bias, and are provided by witnesses who are honest, unbiased, rational, well-informed, and clear-headed.
However, courts do not solely depend on expert testimony. They also consider eyewitness accounts, even though issues with unreliable eyewitness testimony can arise, potentially leading to wrongful convictions. Additionally, social epistemology regards testimonial knowledge from non-experts as a valuable part of our understanding, acknowledging that people often form beliefs based on the testimony of others in everyday communication.