Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: N.O.V.
Definition: N.O.V. is a short way of saying "notwithstanding the verdict" in Latin. It means that a judge can change the decision made by a jury in a lawsuit or criminal case if they think the verdict is not supported by the facts or the law. This is called a "judgment N.O.V." and it means that the judge thinks the jury should have made a different decision in the first place.
When a judge sets aside a jury's decision in a lawsuit or a guilty verdict because they believe the decision is not supported by the facts or the law, it is called a "judgment N.O.V." N.O.V. is short for the Latin phrase "non obstante veredicto," which means "notwithstanding the verdict."
For example, if a jury finds a defendant guilty of a crime, but the judge believes there is not enough evidence to support the verdict, the judge may grant a motion for a judgment N.O.V. and set aside the guilty verdict. This means the defendant is no longer considered guilty and may be released from custody.
Another example is in a civil lawsuit, where a jury may award damages to one party, but the judge may believe the evidence does not support the amount of damages awarded. The judge may then grant a motion for a judgment N.O.V. and reduce the damages awarded.
These examples illustrate how a judge can use a judgment N.O.V. to correct a jury's decision when they believe it is not supported by the facts or the law.