A directed verdict is a procedure used by judges during trial to dismiss one or more claims when the party with the burden of proof (plaintiff) has failed to introduce evidence that is sufficient for a reasonable jury to find in favor of the party with the burden of proof. A directed verdict is like a summary judgment, but happens during trial rather than before trial.
In Alaska, a directed verdict is a legal ruling made by a judge during a jury trial, typically upon a motion by the defendant. This occurs when the judge determines that the plaintiff, who carries the burden of proof, has presented insufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find in their favor on one or more claims. The standard for granting a directed verdict in Alaska is that there must be no substantial evidence to support a verdict for the non-moving party. This procedure is governed by Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 50(a), which allows a party to move for a directed verdict at the close of the evidence offered by an opponent or at the close of the case. If granted, the directed verdict ends the trial for the claim in question and removes the decision from the jury's hands. It is similar to a summary judgment, which is a pre-trial determination that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, but a directed verdict occurs after the trial has begun and evidence has been presented.