What is a motion for a directed verdict?

A motion for a directed verdict is a legal argument made by a party in a civil trial to ask the judge to render a decision in their favor without the need for a jury. This process is sometimes referred to as a “directed verdict.” A party may make this motion after the opposing party has presented their case but before the jury has had a chance to reach a verdict. In California, such a motion must be supported by evidence and law that shows that the other party has not presented sufficient evidence to meet their burden of proving their case to the jury. This motion is usually made after the plaintiff has presented all their evidence and the defendant has had the opportunity to present their defense. The judge must decide whether a reasonable jury could find the defendant liable for the damages claimed. If the judge grants the motion, he or she may enter a judgment in favor of the party that requested it. Alternatively, the judge may deny the motion, in which case the jury will be asked to render a verdict. In either case, the party that made the motion can appeal the decision. In summary, a motion for a directed verdict is a legal argument that asks a judge to render a decision in a civil trial without the need for the jury to weigh in. The judge must decide if there is sufficient evidence and law to support the motion before entering a decision or denying the motion, in which case the jury must render a verdict.

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