Also known as: general jury verdict · general verdicts · general verdict
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A form of verdict in which the jury decides the overall outcome on liability and damages. The court may accompany the form with written questions on discrete factual issues and must supply instructions enabling the jury to return both the verdict and the answers.
Gino Giordano sued Great Lakes Steel after a workplace injury. The court gave the jury a general verdict form asking whether the company was liable together with written questions on whether safety guards were missing and whether the plaintiff had been contributorily negligent. The judge supplied instructions explaining how the answers should inform the overall verdict and directed the jury to complete both parts.
Gabriel Gonzalez sued Guardian Insurance for breach of a disability policy. The jury returned a general verdict for Gonzalez and answered written questions by finding that the policy covered his condition and that the insurer had acted in bad faith. Because the verdict and answers aligned, the court entered judgment for the plaintiff under Rule 58.
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George Garcia sued Granite Holdings for wrongful termination. The jury gave a general verdict for Garcia but answered written questions by finding that the company had followed its own handbook and that Garcia had resigned voluntarily. The court entered judgment for the defendant according to the answers notwithstanding the general verdict.
Gloria Green sued Genesis Pharmaceuticals after an adverse drug reaction. The jury returned a general verdict awarding her damages. The clerk promptly entered judgment on the verdict without awaiting further court direction.
Gareth Glover was acquitted in a state robbery prosecution. When federal authorities later charged him with the same conduct under a different theory, the court held that the prior general verdict of acquittal barred relitigation of the ultimate fact of identity.
Giana Greco was convicted after a trial in which a contested confession was admitted. On appeal the court examined whether the general verdict could stand when the confession's voluntariness had not been properly resolved by the jury.
The court must give the jury the instructions and explanations necessary to render both the general verdict and the written answers, and must direct the jury to complete both parts.
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When the answers are consistent with each other but inconsistent with the general verdict, the court may approve judgment according to the answers notwithstanding the verdict.
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The court must approve an appropriate judgment on the verdict and answers for entry under Rule 58.
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Yes. When the jury returns a general verdict the clerk must promptly prepare, sign, and enter the judgment without awaiting further court direction.
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…of that condition be found present. The judge further instructed the jury that the appellant could be convicted under a general verdict if the jury agreed either that he was of the status or had committed the act denounced by the statute. All that the People must show is either that the defendant did use a narcotic in Los…