What is the legal term for a decision made by a judge or jury in a trial?

The legal term for a decision made by a judge or jury in a trial is a verdict. A verdict represents the conclusion reached by the jury or the judge regarding the guilt or innocence of a defendant in a criminal case or the liability in a civil case. This decision is the result of the deliberations after all evidence has been presented and arguments made.

A verdict serves a crucial function in the judicial process, as it embodies the final determination on the issues presented during the trial. It is the means by which the legal system resolves disputes, providing closure to the parties involved.

Other terms like sentence refer specifically to the punishment determined after a guilty verdict is established, while an appeal is the process through which a higher court reviews the decision made by a lower court. A mistrial occurs when a trial is invalidated and does not lead to a verdict due to procedural problems or other significant issues during the trial. Thus, in this context, the term that specifically identifies the outcome of the trial proceedings is the verdict.