Formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters submitted to it by the judge

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Verdict</span>

Verdict

<p>In <a href="/en/Law" title="Law" class="wl">law</a>, a <b>verdict</b> is the formal <a href="/en/Trier_of_fact" title="Trier of fact" class="wl">finding</a> of fact made by a <a href="/en/Jury" title="Jury" class="wl">jury</a> on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a <a href="/en/Judge" title="Judge" class="wl">judge</a>.<span class="mw-ref reference" id="cite_ref-1"><a href="#cite_note-1" style="counter-reset: mw-Ref 1;"><span class="mw-reflink-text">[1]</span></a></span> In a <a href="/en/Bench_trial" title="Bench trial" class="wl">bench trial</a>, the judge's decision near the end of the trial is simply referred to as a finding.<span class="mw-ref reference" id="cite_ref-2"><a href="#cite_note-2" style="counter-reset: mw-Ref 2;"><span class="mw-reflink-text">[2]</span></a></span> In <a href="/en/England_and_Wales" title="England and Wales" class="wl">England and Wales</a>, a <a href="/en/Coroner" title="Coroner" class="wl">coroner</a>'s findings used to be called verdicts but are, since 2009, called conclusions (see <a href="/en/Coroner#Conclusions_(previously_called_verdicts)" title="Coroner" class="wl">Coroner §<span>&nbsp;</span>Conclusions (previously called verdicts)</a>).</p>

<figure class="mw-default-size wiki-thumb"><a href="/en/File:A_verdict_about_murder._Terracotta_tablet_from_Girsu,_Iraq._2112-2004_BCE._Ancient_Orient_Museum,_Istanbul.jpg" class="mw-file-description image media-thumb" data-hash="File:A_verdict_about_murder._Terracotta_tablet_from_Girsu,_Iraq._2112-2004_BCE._Ancient_Orient_Museum,_Istanbul.jpg"><img loading="lazy" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/A_verdict_about_murder._Terracotta_tablet_from_Girsu%2C_Iraq._2112-2004_BCE._Ancient_Orient_Museum%2C_Istanbul.jpg/220px-A_verdict_about_murder._Terracotta_tablet_from_Girsu%2C_Iraq._2112-2004_BCE._Ancient_Orient_Museum%2C_Istanbul.jpg" decoding="async" data-file-width="3461" data-file-height="3787" data-file-type="bitmap" height="241" width="220" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/A_verdict_about_murder._Terracotta_tablet_from_Girsu%2C_Iraq._2112-2004_BCE._Ancient_Orient_Museum%2C_Istanbul.jpg/330px-A_verdict_about_murder._Terracotta_tablet_from_Girsu%2C_Iraq._2112-2004_BCE._Ancient_Orient_Museum%2C_Istanbul.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/A_verdict_about_murder._Terracotta_tablet_from_Girsu%2C_Iraq._2112-2004_BCE._Ancient_Orient_Museum%2C_Istanbul.jpg/440px-A_verdict_about_murder._Terracotta_tablet_from_Girsu%2C_Iraq._2112-2004_BCE._Ancient_Orient_Museum%2C_Istanbul.jpg 2x" alt="A_verdict_about_murder._Terracotta_tablet_from_Girsu%2C_Iraq._2112-2004_BCE._Ancient_Orient_Museum%2C_Istanbul.jpg"></a><figcaption>A verdict about murder. Terracotta tablet from Girsu, Iraq. 2112–2004 BCE. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul</figcaption></figure>

<div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none" about="#mwt1">Formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters submitted to it by the judge</div>
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<figure class="wiki-thumb"><a href="/en/File:Waiting_for_the_Verdict_by_Abraham_Solomon,_1859,_Getty_Center.JPG" class="mw-file-description image media-thumb" data-hash="File:Waiting_for_the_Verdict_by_Abraham_Solomon,_1859,_Getty_Center.JPG"><img loading="lazy" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Waiting_for_the_Verdict_by_Abraham_Solomon%2C_1859%2C_Getty_Center.JPG/260px-Waiting_for_the_Verdict_by_Abraham_Solomon%2C_1859%2C_Getty_Center.JPG" decoding="async" data-file-width="2901" data-file-height="2352" data-file-type="bitmap" height="211" width="260" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Waiting_for_the_Verdict_by_Abraham_Solomon%2C_1859%2C_Getty_Center.JPG/390px-Waiting_for_the_Verdict_by_Abraham_Solomon%2C_1859%2C_Getty_Center.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Waiting_for_the_Verdict_by_Abraham_Solomon%2C_1859%2C_Getty_Center.JPG/520px-Waiting_for_the_Verdict_by_Abraham_Solomon%2C_1859%2C_Getty_Center.JPG 2x" alt="Waiting_for_the_Verdict_by_Abraham_Solomon%2C_1859%2C_Getty_Center.JPG"></a><figcaption><i>Waiting for the Verdict</i>, <a href="/en/Abraham_Solomon" title="Abraham Solomon" class="wl">Abraham Solomon</a>, 1859</figcaption></figure>
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.sidebar{width:100%!important;clear:both;float:none!important;margin-left:0!important;margin-right:0!important}}</style><table class="sidebar nomobile nowraplinks plainlist"><tbody><tr><th class="sidebar-title"><a href="/en/Criminal_procedure" title="Criminal procedure" class="wl">Criminal procedure</a></th></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-above" style="font-weight:normal; padding:0 0 0.6em;">
Criminal trials and convictions</td></tr><tr><th class="sidebar-heading notheme" style="background:#aaddff; color:#000;">
Rights of the accused</th></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content" style="padding-top:0.25em;">
<div class="hlist ">
<ul><li><a href="/en/Right_to_a_fair_trial" title="Right to a fair trial" class="wl">Fair trial</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Pre-trial" title="Pre-trial" class="mw-redirect wl">Pre-trial</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Speedy_trial" title="Speedy trial" class="wl">Speedy trial</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Jury_trial" title="Jury trial" class="wl">Jury trial</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Right_to_counsel" title="Right to counsel" class="wl">Counsel</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Presumption_of_innocence" title="Presumption of innocence" class="wl">Presumption of innocence</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Exclusionary_rule" title="Exclusionary rule" class="wl">Exclusionary rule</a><sup><small>1</small></sup></li>
<li><a href="/en/Self-incrimination" title="Self-incrimination" class="wl">Self-incrimination</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Double_jeopardy" title="Double jeopardy" class="wl">Double jeopardy</a><sup><small>2</small></sup></li>
<li><a href="/en/Bail" title="Bail" class="wl">Bail</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Appeal" title="Appeal" class="wl">Appeal</a></li></ul>
</div></td>
</tr><tr><th class="sidebar-heading notheme" style="background:#aaddff; color:#000;">
<a href="/en/Verdict" title="Verdict" class="wl">Verdict</a></th></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content" style="padding-top:0.25em;">
<div class="hlist ">
<ul><li><a href="/en/Conviction" title="Conviction" class="wl">Conviction</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Acquittal" title="Acquittal" class="wl">Acquittal</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Not_proven" title="Not proven" class="wl">Not proven</a><sup><small>3</small></sup></li>
<li><a href="/en/Directed_verdict" title="Directed verdict" class="mw-redirect wl">Directed verdict</a></li></ul>
</div></td>
</tr><tr><th class="sidebar-heading notheme" style="background:#aaddff; color:#000;">
<a href="/en/Sentence_(law)" title="Sentence (law)" class="wl">Sentencing</a></th></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content" style="padding-top:0.25em;">
<div class="hlist ">
<ul><li><a href="/en/Mandatory_sentencing" title="Mandatory sentencing" class="wl">Mandatory</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Suspended_sentence" title="Suspended sentence" class="wl">Suspended</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Custodial_sentence" title="Custodial sentence" class="wl">Custodial</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Periodic_detention" title="Periodic detention" class="wl">Periodic</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Discharge_(sentence)" title="Discharge (sentence)" class="wl">Discharge</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Sentencing_guidelines" title="Sentencing guidelines" class="wl">Guidelines</a></li></ul>
</div>
<ul><li><a href="/en/Totality_principle" title="Totality principle" class="wl">Totality</a><sup><small>5,<span>&nbsp;</span>6</small></sup></li>
<li><a href="/en/Dangerous_offender" title="Dangerous offender" class="wl">Dangerous offender</a><sup><small>4,<span>&nbsp;</span>5</small></sup></li></ul>
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<ul><li><a href="/en/Capital_punishment" title="Capital punishment" class="wl">Capital punishment</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Execution_warrant" title="Execution warrant" class="wl">Execution warrant</a></li></ul>
</div>
<ul><li><a href="/en/Cruel_and_unusual_punishment" title="Cruel and unusual punishment" class="wl">Cruel and unusual punishment</a></li></ul>
<div class="hlist ">
<ul><li><a href="/en/Imprisonment" title="Imprisonment" class="wl">Imprisonment</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Life_imprisonment" title="Life imprisonment" class="wl">Life imprisonment</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Indefinite_imprisonment" title="Indefinite imprisonment" class="wl">Indefinite imprisonment</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Three-strikes_law" title="Three-strikes law" class="wl">Three-strikes law</a></li></ul>
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</tr><tr><th class="sidebar-heading notheme" style="background:#aaddff; color:#000;">
Post-sentencing</th></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content" style="padding-top:0.25em;">
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<ul><li><a href="/en/Parole" title="Parole" class="wl">Parole</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Probation" title="Probation" class="wl">Probation</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Life_imprisonment_in_England_and_Wales" title="Life imprisonment in England and Wales" class="wl">Tariff</a><span>&nbsp;</span><sup><small>6</small></sup></li>
<li><a href="/en/Life_imprisonment_in_England_and_Wales" title="Life imprisonment in England and Wales" class="wl">Life licence</a><sup><small>6</small></sup></li>
<li><a href="/en/Criminal_justice" title="Criminal justice" class="wl">Criminal justice</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Exoneration" title="Exoneration" class="wl">Exoneration</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Habitual_offender" title="Habitual offender" class="wl">Habitual offender</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Miscarriage_of_justice" title="Miscarriage of justice" class="wl">Miscarriage of justice</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Pardon" title="Pardon" class="wl">Pardon</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Recidivism" title="Recidivism" class="wl">Recidivism</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Rehabilitation_(penology)" title="Rehabilitation (penology)" class="wl">Rehabilitation</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Restorative_justice" title="Restorative justice" class="wl">Restorative justice</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Sex_offender_registry" title="Sex offender registry" class="wl">Sex offender registry</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Sexually_violent_predator_laws" title="Sexually violent predator laws" class="wl">Sexually violent predator laws</a><sup><small>1</small></sup></li></ul>
</div></td>
</tr><tr><th class="sidebar-heading notheme" style="background:#aaddff; color:#000;">
Related areas of law</th></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content" style="padding-top:0.25em;">
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<ul><li><a href="/en/Civil_procedure" title="Civil procedure" class="wl">Civil procedure</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Category:Criminal_defenses" title="Category:Criminal defenses" class="wl">Criminal defenses</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Criminal_law" title="Criminal law" class="wl">Criminal law</a></li>
<li><a href="/en/Evidence_(law)" title="Evidence (law)" class="wl">Evidence</a></li></ul>
</div></td>
</tr><tr><th class="sidebar-heading notheme" style="background:#aaddff; color:#000;">
Portals</th></tr><tr><td class="sidebar-content" style="padding-top:0.25em;;padding-bottom:0.75em;">
<div class="hlist ">
<ul><li><span class="noviewer"><a href="/en/File:Balance,_by_David.svg" class="mw-file-description image wl"><img loading="lazy"alt="icon" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/Balance%2C_by_David.svg/30px-Balance%2C_by_David.svg.png" decoding="async" data-file-width="606" data-file-height="558" data-file-type="drawing" height="28" width="30" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/Balance%2C_by_David.svg/46px-Balance%2C_by_David.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/Balance%2C_by_David.svg/61px-Balance%2C_by_David.svg.png 2x"></a></span><span>&nbsp;</span><a href="/en/Portal:Law" title="Portal:Law" class="wl">Law<span> </span>portal</a></li></ul>
</div></td>
</tr><tr><td class="sidebar-below" style="padding:0.4em;border-top:1px #aaa solid;font-weight:normal;font-size:smaller; font-size:100%;border-bottom:1px solid #aaa;">
<div class="hlist ">
<ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><sup><small>1</small></sup><span>&nbsp;</span><a href="/en/Courts_of_the_United_States" title="Courts of the United States" class="mw-redirect wl">US courts</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:85%;"><sup><small>2</small></sup><span>&nbsp;</span>Not in <a href="/en/Courts_of_England_and_Wales" title="Courts of England and Wales" class="wl">English/Welsh courts</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:85%;"><sup><small>3</small></sup><span>&nbsp;</span><a href="/en/Courts_of_Scotland" title="Courts of Scotland" class="wl">Scottish courts</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:85%;"><sup><small>4</small></sup><span>&nbsp;</span>English/Welsh courts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:85%;"><sup><small>5</small></sup><span>&nbsp;</span><a href="/en/Courts_of_Canada" title="Courts of Canada" class="mw-redirect wl">Canadian courts</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:85%;"><sup><small>6</small></sup><span>&nbsp;</span><a href="/en/Courts_of_the_United_Kingdom" title="Courts of the United Kingdom" class="mw-redirect wl">UK courts</a></span></li></ul>
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In law, a verdict is the formal finding of fact made by a jury on matters or questions submitted to the jury by a judge. In England and Wales, a coroner's findings used to be called verdicts but are, since 2009, called conclusions ). 