Trial Flashcards

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1
Q

Under the North Carolina Constitution, you are guaranteed a jury trial:

A

actions about property

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2
Q

By common law, a jury trial is also available:

A
  • All civil actions at common law

- Statutes giving right to jury trial

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3
Q

How to secure rights to jury trial?

A

The party seeking the jury trial must give written demand

  • Serve on all parties within 10 days after last pleading is filed
  • Waived if not served timely
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4
Q

When can a jury trial be demanded?

A

at any point in the pleadings

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5
Q

If a jury trial has already been demanded and the parties decide they dont want a jury trial, then

A

they can waive it if all the consent of the parites is present

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6
Q

Right to a jury trial can be asserted by a new party that is joined if?

A

Made within 10 days of being joined

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7
Q

If a jury trial is demanded at state court and it is moved to federal court?

A

The jury trial remains

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8
Q

In all actions tried without a jury or with an advisory jury, the court shall:
(3)

A
  1. judge enters an order that must contain specific finds of fact
  2. conclusions of law the judge made
  3. the entry of the appropriate judgment for either side
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9
Q

Default rule for jury verdicts?

A

has to be unanimous

Parties can stipulate to agreeing less than unanimous

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10
Q

Default number of jurors

A

12

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11
Q

In N.C. how many preemptory challenges does each side have?

A

8

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12
Q

In a civil trial, the standard of proof required:

A

preponderance of the evidence (51%)

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13
Q

A per diem argument is

A

Calculate the loss per day to the πand then multiply by life expectancy

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14
Q

When a per diem argument is used, what has to happen?

A

The judge has to tell the jury they are not bound by the estimates of the attorney
+
Tell jury it is not evidence
+
They have an obligation to come up with a lump sum amount

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15
Q

A trial judge enters judgment as a matter of law (also known as a directed verdict or judgment notwithstanding the verdict (J.N.O.V.)) when a party convinces the judge that:

A

There is no evidence upon which the other party can prevail on a claim

-no reasonable juror could find in favor of the non-moving party on a given claim

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16
Q

If a directed verdict is granted?

A

The whole case is removed from the jury

  • judgments on the merit
  • immediately appealable
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17
Q

In ruling on a directed verdict, the court must consider

A

all the evidence and reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party

18
Q

When can a directed verdict be brought?

2

A

After the opposing party has been fully heard with respect to the issue or claim
+
Before case submitted to jury

19
Q

There are “natural” points during the trial for a directed verdict motion to be made:
(3)

A
  1. close at π’s evidence
  2. close at ∆’s evidence
  3. close of rebuttal evidence
20
Q

A J.N.O.V. is granted when?

A

The evidence is insufficient to support the jury’s verdict

21
Q

If the judge grants a directed verdict before the jury returns a verdict, but the directed verdict is reversed on appeal:

A

the entire trial must redone

22
Q

If the case is decided by the jury, the judge can then overturn an unsupportable jury verdict by granting a directed verdict (J.N.O.V.) after the jury verdict; if the judge is then reversed on appeal:

A

Then the decision of the jury is reinstated

23
Q

In order to preserve the right to make a JNOV, what must happen?

A

there must be a directed verdict made

-A JNOV is a renewal of a directed verdict

24
Q

How to request special jury instructions?

A

Has to be in writing and served to judge

25
Q

How to preserve appeal of jury instructions?

A

Have to object before they are read.

26
Q

A general verdict is:

A

just say π wins; or

∆ wins

27
Q

A special verdict is:

A

when the jury must conclude specific findings of facts

28
Q

Additur allows

A

A judge in N.C. to add damages if the jury verdict is insufficient based on the evidence

≠ federal court

29
Q

Remittitur allows

A

A judge in N.C. to remove damages if the jury verdict is excessive based upon the evidence

30
Q

What is the standard of review for additur and remittitur

A

abuse of discretion

31
Q

A Judgement is entered by

2

A
  1. judge or jury read verdict in open court and court reporter records
  2. judge signs a written order
32
Q

When must a party file a J.N.O.V.?

A

Within 10 days of entry of final judgment

33
Q

When must a JNOV be denied?

A

If there is a scintilla of evidence supporting the verdict.

34
Q

What happens if a JNOV is joined with a motion for a new trial?

A

The judge must rule on both

35
Q

If the judgment notwithstanding the verdict (J.N.O.V.) is granted but reversed on appeal, and the motion for a new trial was conditionally granted:

A

The new trial will proceed automatically

36
Q

If the judgment notwithstanding the verdict (J.N.O.V.) is granted but reversed and the motion for a new trial was conditionally denied:

A

Appellate court decides what happens next

37
Q

If the trial court grants D’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict:

A

The π must file for a new trial within 10 days of judgment

38
Q

If D’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict is denied and D appeals the jury verdict:

A

π must assert grounds for a new trial

39
Q

A motion for a new trial, once served, requires that the opposing party

A

respond with affidavit within 10 days

40
Q

A motion for a new trial must be made when?

A

Within 10 days of entry of judgement

41
Q

Grounds for a new trial

8

A

a new trial may be granted for the following causes or grounds:

(a) irregularity which prevented fair trial
(b) misconduct of jury or prevailing party
(c) accident or surprise which ordinary prudence could not have guarded against;
(d) newly discovered evidence
(e) manifest disregard by the jury of the judge’s instructions;
(f) damages were insufficient or inadequate
(g) evidence insufficient to justify the verdict;
(h) error in law that occurred in the trial

42
Q

A party can move for relief from judgement if:

7

A

1) when there has been mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect;
2) newly discovered evidence
3) fraud in the proceedings
4) judgement is void
5) if the judgment has been satisfied, released, or discharged;
6) any other reasonable grounds
7) Clerical errors