Directed Verdict

Definition of Directed Verdict

Note: See a more comprehensive approach to the Directed Verdict legal concept in the American Law Encyclopedia

Decision by a jury made under binding instruction from the trial judge. A directed verdict reflects the failure of a party to present enough evidence to win a lawsuit. A directed verdict is sought on motion by a party to a civil action. The motion asserts that one party must win because the other party has failed to establish either a prima facie case or establish a particular defense. If the judge grants the motion, the jury is not allowed to actually deliberate the matter. Rather, the judge instructs the jury that there is only one possible verdict as a matter of law. The jury is bound by this instruction. In a criminal case, the defendant can seek a directed verdict of acquittal. The defendant's right tojury adjudication of guilt prohibits a directed verdict for conviction.

See Also

Demurrer (Law of the United States) Dissmiss (Law of the United States) Summary Judgment (Law of the United States).

Resources

Directed Verdict Related Resources

• Directed Verdict in the United States Legal Encyclopedia
• Civil Judicial Process Keywords in the United States Legal Encyclopedia
• Civil Process Keywords in the International Legal Dictionary

Notes

• “Directed Verdict”, The American Law Dictionary, 1991, California

Directed Verdict (Civil Judicial Process)

Meaning of Directed Verdict

This is a brief definition of directed verdict; a term used, in general, in the field of procedural law within the United States: A determination by the judge that a particular verdict is required as a matter of law_ usually refers to a determination that the defendant is entitled to prevail because the plaintiff's evidence is insufficient to support a verdict_ the practical effect is to take the decision out of the jury's hands.