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 Oklahoma, a directed verdict is a legal procedure where the judge takes the decision out of the jury's hands and rules on a case or specific claims within a case during the trial. This occurs when the judge determines that the party with the burden of proof, typically the plaintiff, has not presented evidence that is legally sufficient to support a verdict in their favor. In such cases, even if all the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, no reasonable jury could find for that party based on the evidence presented. This is governed by the Oklahoma statutes and the Oklahoma Pleading Code, which outline the specific circumstances and procedures for granting a directed verdict. It is similar to a summary judgment, which is a pre-trial ruling that no factual issues exist to be tried, but a directed verdict occurs after the presentation of evidence has begun in a trial.