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(March 10, 2008) (licensed clinical social worker with master’s degree and twelve years’ experience properly qualified as expert); Gipson v. State , 332 Ga.App. 309, 772 S.E.2d 402 (May 6, 2015) (executive director of local domestic violence shelter with 16 years’ experience properly qualified as expert). Buffington v. State, 245 Ga.App. 637, 538 S.E.2d 528 (August 22, 2000). Conviction for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute affirmed. Trial court properly allowed police officer to interpret notations in defendant’s drug sales ledger “based on his narcotics investigation training and experience in the field, including his past experience with drug ledgers.” “The trial court properly allowed the officer to provide the jury with opinion evidence about the meaning of the ledger based on his experience and training. Kimbrough v. State, 215 Ga.App. 303, 304(1), 450 S.E.2d 457 (1994).” Vasquez v. State, 241 Ga.App. 512, 527 S.E.2d 235 (December 15, 1999). Defendant’s child molestation conviction affirmed; no abuse of discretion in qualifying mental health therapist as expert. “‘This Court has repeatedly held that it is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial judge as to whether a witness has such learning and experience in a particular profession as to entitle him to be deemed prima facie an expert. To qualify as an expert, generally all that is required is that a person be knowledgeable in a particular matter; his special knowledge may be derived from experience as well as study, and formal education in the subject is not a requisite for expert status.’ (Citations and punctuation omitted.) Wingfield v. State, 229 Ga.App. 75, 84(6), 493 S.E.2d 235 (1997). In this case, the therapist testified about his education and experience, his current employment as clinical director of a facility for abused children, and his six interview sessions with the victim. He was subject to cross-examination by defense counsel. The trial court made specific findings of fact as to the therapist's qualifications. Such findings were supported by the evidence presented. There was no abuse of discretion.” Godbey v. State, 241 Ga.App. 529, 526 S.E.2d 415 (December 2, 1999). Physical precedent only. Defendant’s conviction for child molestation affirmed; trial court properly qualified expert witness to testify regarding psychological issues relating to molestation victims, though witness didn’t hold a license to practice psychology in Georgia. “[Dr.] Hayes holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology and has completed the course work, training, and internship for a second doctorate in clinical psychology. She has worked in the field for approximately 20 years, and approximately 60 percent of her practice is with children and adolescents. She receives referrals from many departments of family and children services, and has seen a number of children who have been sexually abused. She has testified as an expert witness on approximately 50 occasions in the superior courts in Georgia. … Given Hayes's testimony regarding her education and experience, the trial court acted within its discretion in allowing her to testify as an expert.” Accord, Teat (April 23, 1999), below. Carlson v. State, 240 Ga.App. 589, 524 S.E.2d 283 (November 1, 1999). Conviction for misdemeanor marijuana possession affirmed; trial court properly excluded defendant’s proffered expert testimony. “The trial court refused to qualify defense witness Alan Gordon, a self-described “marijuana specialist,” as an expert but did allow Gordon to testify. According to Gordon, because he personally suffers from a genetic condition that causes anxiety and impairs his immune system, he regularly uses marijuana for its medicinal benefits. Gordon testified that his use of marijuana improved the functioning of his immune system. … Gordon, the founder and executive director of the Drug History Institute, was asked on voir dire about his self-proclaimed expertise concerning marijuana. Gordon claimed he knew about marijuana's therapeutic and medicinal benefits from having ‘been an avid user for more than a decade,’ from being ‘deeply immersed in the underground culture,’ and from having studied the drug. Gordon admitted that he had not conducted any scientific or laboratory research or published any scholarly articles other than one ‘self-published work’ on the Internet. Nor had Gordon earned any academic degree beyond the bachelor's level. In these circumstances, Carlson failed to show that the trial court abused its discretion in declining to deem Gordon an expert ‘as to the effects of marijuana on the body.’” Teat v. State, 237 Ga.App. 867, 516 S.E.2d 794 (April 23, 1999). “A witness need not be licensed to practice psychology in Georgia in order to qualify as an expert in matters of psychology or mental health. Taylor v. State, [261 Ga. 287, 289(1)(a), 404 S.E.2d 255 (1991)].” Accord, Godbey (December 2, 1999), above. 10. REQUEST FOR FUNDS See PROCEDURE – EXPERTS, MOTION FOR FUNDS TO HIRE, above 11. RIGHT TO EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF EXPERT WITNESS Turpin v. Bennett, 270 Ga. 584, 513 S.E.2d 478 (March 1, 1999). “This habeas corpus case presents an issue of first

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