Verdict

Definition

A formal decision or finding by a jury or judge. The moment when 12 people or one judge suddenly become the arbiter of someone's destiny.

Example Usage

The jury returned a guilty verdict after only three hours of deliberation.

Origin

From Latin 'vere dictum' meaning 'truly said'

Fun Fact

Jury verdicts must be unanimous in most criminal cases, but only need 10-2 in some states now.

Source: Legal Information Institute

Related Terms

Advanced

forum non conveniens

A doctrine allowing courts to dismiss cases that would be better heard elsewhere, essentially the legal version of 'not it!' Latin for 'inconvenient forum.'

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

autonomy

The ability to make your own decisions without someone breathing down your neck—a concept lawyers love to argue about in contexts ranging from medical consent to corporate governance. It's the legal recognition that adults should be able to run their own lives, though courts spend surprising amounts of time determining exactly how much autonomy you actually have. Freedom with asterisks and fine print.

⚖️ Legal

Beginner

appeal

The legal equivalent of asking to speak to the manager, except the manager is a higher court and they actually have to listen to your complaint. It's when you tell a superior court that the lower court got it wrong, please fix it, accompanied by a brief that's neither brief nor particularly fun to read. The last hope of the legally aggrieved and the reason law schools have entire courses on appellate procedure.

⚖️ Legal

Beginner

consideration

Something of value exchanged between parties to make a contract legally binding, because courts need proof you weren't just making empty promises. The legal system's way of ensuring everyone has skin in the game.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

tariffs

Government-imposed taxes on imported or exported goods that politicians love to threaten and economists love to debate. They're supposed to protect domestic industries but often just make everything more expensive for consumers. Also used for rate schedules and criminal sentencing guidelines, because one word should definitely mean three different things.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

Mitigation of Damages

The requirement that an injured party take reasonable steps to minimize their losses. The law essentially says, 'Don't just sit there whining, go fix it yourself.'

⚖️ Legal

Translate This Term

See “Verdict” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on X Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Advanced

curing

Preserving food through salt, sugar, nitrates, or smoking to inhibit bacterial growth and develop complex flavors over t...