Legal Definitions - specific finding

A specific finding is a decision made by a jury in a trial based on facts presented in the case. The judge may ask the jury specific questions to guide their deliberations and help them focus on the key issues. The jury's answers to these questions are called specific findings and are used to resolve the case.

In a personal injury case, the jury may be asked a specific question such as "Was the defendant negligent in causing the plaintiff's injuries?" The jury's specific finding may be "Yes, the defendant was negligent." This finding would be used to determine liability and damages in the case.

Another example could be in a criminal trial where the jury is asked a specific question such as "Did the defendant commit the crime of murder?" The jury's specific finding may be "Yes, the defendant committed murder." This finding would be used to determine the defendant's guilt and the appropriate punishment.

These examples illustrate how specific findings are used to make decisions in a trial based on the facts presented. They show how the jury's answers to specific questions can have a significant impact on the outcome of a case.