Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) Practice Exam

What occurs during a directed verdict?

1. The jury renders a verdict without deliberation

2. The judge issues a ruling based on emotional testimony

3. A case is dismissed before reaching trial

4. The plaintiff is awarded damages without a trial

The correct answer is: The jury renders a verdict without deliberation

A directed verdict occurs when a judge determines that no reasonable jury could find in favor of one party based on the evidence presented during a trial. This often happens when the party with the burden of proof fails to provide sufficient evidence to support its claims, or when the evidence overwhelmingly favors the other party. In such instances, the judge may direct the jury to return a specific verdict without the need for further deliberation. This procedural move aims to streamline the judicial process by preventing cases with insufficient evidence from proceeding to jury deliberation, thereby upholding judicial efficiency. By issuing a directed verdict, the court asserts that the conclusion is so clear that further jury discussion would be unnecessary. The other options do not accurately represent the process or outcome of a directed verdict. Undoubtedly, a directed verdict does not involve emotional testimony influencing a ruling, nor does it pertain to dismissing a case before a trial begins or awarding damages without a trial. Each of these scenarios represents distinct legal processes that differ significantly from the concept of a directed verdict.