A verdict is a legal decision made by a jury in a court case, with requirements varying by jurisdiction. Juries deliberate during court hours and may issue a “guilty” or “not guilty” verdict in criminal cases. In financial settlement cases, a quotient or compromise verdict may be issued, but these are illegal and can lead to a mistrial. A coroner’s verdict is a formal decision about the cause of death, which can impact civil lawsuits and insurance investigations.
A verdict is a legal term used to indicate that a jury has reached a decision in a court case. As a word, “verdict” has its root in the Latin word verdictum, which means “to tell the truth.” The requirements to reach a valid verdict vary by jurisdiction. In some localities, the jury must be unanimous in its decision, while in other areas, it simply must obtain a majority vote.
Most juries are left to deliberate during normal court hours. If they are unable to reach a decision by the end of the session, the court is adjourned and deliberations resume on the next court day. Sometimes, however, juries deliberate past hours of sessions. If a decision is made while the court is not in session, the result is sealed in an envelope which is opened before the court the next day.
One of the most well-known types of verdict is the one issued during a criminal proceeding. Juries in criminal cases deliver a verdict of “guilty” or “not guilty,” which is sometimes read aloud by the foreman, also known as the chief juror. In some criminal court cases, namely those in England, a jury will not be asked to give a formal decision. Instead, he will present the bare facts to the court but leave the final decision to the judge.
In matters of awarding financial settlements, some juries issue what is known as a quotient verdict, which occurs when a jury is unable to reach a unanimous decision. To solve the problem, each juror will write down the amount he deems appropriate to award. After each jury member’s amount has been tallied, an average is taken and that amount is turned over to the court. While this process is sometimes used unofficially in court cases, it is illegal and can be declared a mistrial if the jury is caught.
Another type of decision that can lead to a mistrial during a financial transaction case is a compromise verdict. In the event that the judging panel cannot decide, the foreman takes the highest amount and the lowest amount proposed and divides the difference, which becomes the official prize. The lack of rational deliberation and the possibility of being unfair to one party is what causes this to fall under jury misconduct.
Sometimes the word verdict is also used when a coroner states his findings after sudden deaths. In these cases, the coroner’s verdicts are his or her decisions about the causes of death, such as suicide, accidental death, wrongful death, or natural death. This decision is formal and can be especially important in the outcome of civil lawsuits or insurance investigations.
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