Remittitur is generally an order by a court for a new trial, or alternatively, for an amount of damages less than that awarded by the jury, and requires the plaintiff to choose between the two. The term remittitur is also used to refer to the written and signed document that a party who was awarded damages in a trial (the plaintiff) may file with the clerk if it agrees to remit or accept the court’s suggestion of lesser damages than were awarded.
In Wyoming, remittitur is a legal concept where a judge may reduce the amount of damages awarded by a jury if the judge finds that the award is excessive and not supported by the evidence. The judge can offer the plaintiff the choice between accepting a lower award or undergoing a new trial. This process is intended to correct jury awards that appear to be influenced by passion or prejudice, rather than by the factual evidence presented during the trial. If the plaintiff agrees to the reduced amount, they may file a remittitur, which is a formal acknowledgment of their acceptance of the lower damages. This process allows for the correction of jury awards without the need for a full retrial, saving time and resources for all parties involved. Wyoming state statutes and case law would provide specific guidance on how remittitur is applied within the state's judicial system.