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 Missouri, a directed verdict is a legal mechanism that a judge can use during a jury trial to rule on the merits of a case without allowing the jury to deliberate, if the judge determines that no reasonable jury could find for the party with the burden of proof based on the evidence presented. This typically occurs after the plaintiff has presented their case, and it is determined that the evidence is insufficient to support a legal claim. Missouri's Rules of Civil Procedure allow for a party to file a motion for a directed verdict at the close of the evidence presented by an opponent. If the motion is granted, the trial is effectively ended with respect to the claim or claims addressed by the directed verdict. This procedure ensures that cases without the requisite legal foundation do not take up the time of the court and a jury unnecessarily. It is similar to a summary judgment, which is a pre-trial judgment, but a directed verdict occurs after the trial has begun and usually after the plaintiff has presented their case-in-chief.