Verdict

A verdict of guilty in a criminal case generally requires evidence to be tested and true beyond reasonable doubt[3] and is normally followed by a judgment of conviction rendered by judge, which in turn be followed by sentencing.

[5] The prosecution may never seek a directed verdict of guilty, as the defendant has a constitutional right to present a defense and rebut the prosecution's case and have a jury determine guilt or innocence (where a defendant has waived their right to a jury trial and allowed the judge to render the verdict, this still applies).

In the American civil legal system, the concept of directed verdict has largely been replaced by judgment as a matter of law.

First, the jury finds the facts, as proved by the evidence, then applies the law as instructed by the court, and finally, it returns a verdict in one conclusion that settles the case.

Such verdict is reported as follows: We the Jury find the issues for the plaintiff (or defendant, as the case may be) and assess his damages at one hundred thousand dollars.A sealed verdict is put into a sealed envelope when there is a delay in announcing the result, such as waiting for the judge, the parties, and the attorneys to return to court.

[7] In the words of William Blackstone, "The jury state the naked facts, as they find them to be proved, and pray the advice of the court thereon".

[10][11] The jury has a historic function of tempering rules of law by common sense brought to bear upon the facts of a specific case.