Which statement about directed verdict is true?

• A. It is a request for the court to rule in favor of one party after the opposing party has presented sufficient evidence
• B. It is a request for the court to rule in favor of one party after the opposing party has presented insufficient evidence
• C. It is a request directed to the appellate court
• D. It is a request to vacate the judgment on appeal

Answer: (B)

A directed verdict is a ruling by the trial judge that, as a matter of law, the opponent’s evidence is legally insufficient to support a verdict for them. If the moving party shows that after the opponent has presented their evidence there is no legally adequate basis for a jury to return a verdict for that opponent, the judge can grant the directive and enter judgment for the moving party. That’s why the correct statement describes it as a request for the court to rule in favor of one party after the opposing party has presented insufficient evidence. It isn’t something the appellate court handles, and it isn’t a request to vacate a judgment on appeal.