Verdict - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition verdict

Definition :

Verdict [fr. vere dictum, Lat.], the determination of a jury declared to a judge.

1. A jury's finding or decision on factual issue of a case 2. Loosely, in a non jury trial, a judge's resolution of the issues of a case.

The verdict is either general or special. A general verdict is given, viva voce, by the jury, thus, 'We find for the plaintiff, damages -,' or, if for the defendant, then, 'We find for the defendant.' In criminal cases a general verdict is either Guilty, or Not Guilty. If there be several issues, the verdict may be distributed, some issues being found for the plaintiff and others for the defendant. A verdict must comprehend the whole issues submitted to a jury in the particular cause, otherwise the judgment founded upon it may be reversed. See SPECIAL VERDICT; PREVERSE VERDICT.