What is a verdict?

A verdict is specifically the decision reached by a jury in a trial. This decision represents the jury's conclusions regarding the facts of the case, determining whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty in criminal cases, or deciding liability and damages in civil cases.

While a judicial decision may encompass verdicts delivered by a jury, it can also refer to decisions made by judges, thereby making the definition too broad. An attorney's argument pertains to the presentations made by legal counsel during a trial, and witness testimony involves the statements given by people who have witnessed events relevant to the case. Neither of these represents the conclusion drawn in the trial process like a verdict does. Thus, the choice that emphasizes the jury's role in delivering a verdict is the most accurate and appropriate definition.