Definition
When a judge decides a case without sending it to the jury because the evidence is so one-sided that no reasonable jury could rule otherwise. The judicial version of 'let's not waste everyone's time.'
Example Usage
The judge granted a directed verdict for the defendant after the plaintiff rested without proving basic causation.
Origin
From the concept of the judge 'directing' the verdict rather than the jury deciding
Fun Fact
Directed verdicts are now technically called 'judgment as a matter of law' in federal courts, but old lawyers still use the original term out of habit and nostalgia.
Source: Trial procedure terminology
Related Terms
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See “directed verdict” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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