Directed verdict - sustany/dvg GitHub Wiki

A directed verdict is a ruling entered by a trial judge after determining that there is no legally sufficient�evidentiary�basis for a�reasonable�jury�to reach a different conclusion.�

The trial court may grant a directed verdict either�sua sponte�or upon a�motion�by either�party.� A directed verdict may be granted at any time, but usually occurs after at least one party has been fully heard. In Jewish Hospital & St. Mary�s Healthcare, Inc. v. House, 563 S.W.3d 626, the court noted that �there are two types of directed verdicts: (1) �the most common type of directed verdict, where the claimant loses because claimant�s proof is inadequate� and (2) �when the claimant�s evidence is overwhelming, and in the analogous situations when the evidence on a defense is either inadequate or overwhelming�.� A trial judge cannot enter a directed verdict unless there is a complete absence of proof on a material issue or if no disputed issues of fact exist upon which reasonable minds could differ.

Motions for a directed verdict are governed by�Rule 50�of the�Federal Rules of Civil Procedure�and�Rule 29�of the�Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Directed verdicts have been largely replaced by�judgment as a matter of law (JMOL).�