What is a motion for a directed verdict?
A motion for a directed verdict is a request made by a defendant or plaintiff in a civil lawsuit in Washington. This motion is made at the end of the trial and asks the judge to find in favor of the party making the motion. The party making the motion must prove that the law and evidence presented are in their favor and they should be granted a verdict without any additional input from the jury. This motion can be a powerful tool for a plaintiff or a defendant, as it can help resolve a case quickly. For the plaintiff, a directed verdict can be an important tool in obtaining a speedy resolution if their case is especially strong. For the defendant, a directed verdict can help to avoid a long and costly trial if their defense is particularly effective. The judge will consider both the legal and factual elements of a case before granting a motion for a directed verdict. The judge must be confident that the case is so clear cut that it does not require any input from the jury. If a case is too complex for the judge to make a decision on their own, the motion is denied and the case is presented to the jury for them to decide the verdict. In Washington, a motion for a directed verdict is one way that the court system can work quickly to reach a resolution in a civil lawsuit.
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