What requirement must fact witnesses meet to testify?

To testify as a fact witness, an individual must be competent. Competency refers to the ability of a witness to understand the questions posed to them and to provide coherent and relevant testimony. This requirement ensures that the witness can communicate their observations or experiences clearly, which is crucial for the court to evaluate the validity of their statements.

Fact witnesses are typically individuals who have firsthand knowledge of a specific event or circumstance relevant to a case, rather than experts in a particular field. Their testimony is based on what they directly observed, rather than opinions or specialized knowledge. Therefore, being competent is the foundational requirement for them to provide reliable and meaningful testimony in a legal context.

Having a law degree, being a forensic expert, or being associated with the legal system does not inherently establish a requirement for fact witnesses to testify, as many competent individuals without such qualifications may have pertinent information to share.