AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) Practice Test

What term is used for the final decision given by a jury?

1. Judgment

2. Verdict

3. Ruling

4. Resolution

The correct answer is: Verdict

The term "verdict" specifically refers to the final decision made by a jury concerning the outcome of a trial. In a court of law, after deliberating on the evidence presented during the trial, the jury reaches a verdict that determines the guilt or innocence of a defendant in a criminal case or the liability in a civil case. This decision is formally announced in court and serves as the jury's definitive conclusion based on the facts and legal standards provided during the proceedings. The other terms have distinct meanings within the legal context. "Judgment" often refers to the formal decision issued by a judge based on the verdict, while "ruling" generally pertains to a decision made by a judge on a specific motion or issue during the course of a trial. "Resolution," on the other hand, can refer to the solution to a dispute but does not specifically denote a decision from a jury. Understanding these distinctions highlights why "verdict" is the precise term for the jury's final determination.