Andy Sikes understands that a trial in a court of law is a contest between individuals that is based on facts, law, and emotions. The surveying expert in this setting is a provider of facts. To help the court apply the appropriate law, the surveyor must present the facts in a format that reflects the laws. While Mr. Sikes does not practice law, he practices surveying in a way that reflects the intent and certainty of the law.
Mr. Sikes has provided subject matter expertise and consulting on numerous issues in Texas courts since 1977. His expert witness testimony has included boundary location evidence, construction practices consultation, and relative location of persons and potential hazards. Sometimes the facts in question are obscured by the definitions of survey terminology. Occasionally a surveyor will use the same word in a sentence as a noun, a verb, and an adjective. Mr. Sikes can help with this.
Some notable examples of legal matters for which Mr. Sikes provided expertise include:
- A dispute involving a contractor that trespassed on adjacent property because it was convenient
- A community dispute in which a plaintiff was correct on the facts but overwhelmed by the emotional component of the matter
- Multiple cases where new construction blocked existing or long-standing drainage
- A case in which a prior land owner had issued an easement across land he had sold
- Multiple cases involving surveys that failed to honor “dignity of calls” and created or aggravated boundary location issues
- A claim that a person had been killed by an onsite hazard; evidence proved the victim had not been near the alleged hazard prior to his death (in this case, the emotion of the matter did not overwhelm the facts)
- A dispute in which a neighbor actually moved fences to steal land
- A case of surveyor negligence in which a new survey boundary line showed lots separated by 20 feet instead of with a common boundary
- Multiple matters to meet the legal requirements for a Certificate of Merit
Mr. Sikes has provided trial exhibits, explanations of terminology, Certificates of Merit, affidavits of facts and opinion, and testimony both by deposition and in court. When in court, he is prepared, speaks clearly and with confidence, and addresses the jury with a smile and professional bearing. His testimony is accurate and includes language the court can recognize as necessary to settle the surveying issues in law.