Directed verdict

Criminal procedure
Criminal trials and convictions
Rights of the accused
Fair trial Speedy trial Jury trial Counsel Presumption of innocence Exclusionary rule¹ Self-incrimination Double jeopardy²
Verdict
Conviction Acquittal Not proven³ Directed verdict
Sentencing
Mandatory Suspended Custodial Discharge Guidelines Totality^5, 6 Dangerous offender^4, 5 Capital punishment Execution warrant Cruel and unusual punishment Life imprisonment Indefinite imprisonment
Post-sentencing
Parole Probation Tariff ⁶ Life licence⁶ Miscarriage of justice Exoneration Pardon Sex offender registration Sexually violent predator legislation¹
Related areas of law
Criminal defenses Criminal law Evidence Civil procedure
Portals
Law Criminal justice
¹ US courts ² Not in English/Welsh courts ³ Scottish courts ⁴ English/Welsh courts ⁵ Canadian courts ⁶ UK courts

In a jury trial, a directed verdict is an order from the presiding judge to the jury to return a particular verdict. Typically, the judge orders a directed verdict after finding that no reasonable jury could reach a decision to the contrary. After a directed verdict, there is no longer any need for the jury to decide the case.

A judge may order a directed verdict as to an entire case or only to certain issues.

In a criminal case in the United States, once the prosecution has closed its case, the defendant may move for a directed verdict. If granted, the verdict will be "not guilty". The prosecution may never seek a directed verdict of guilty, as the defendant has a constitutional right to present a defense and rebut the prosecution's case and have a jury determine guilt or innocence (where a defendant has waived his/her right to a jury trial and allowed the judge to render the verdict, this still applies).

In a civil action, a related concept to the directed verdict is that of a non-suit.

This concept has largely been replaced in the American legal system with judgment as a matter of law.

External links

Nolo Press

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/6/2014. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.