Can a Judge overrule the 'guilty or not guilty' verdict of the jury?

If so, has it ever been done to your knowledge?

Directed Verdict Discussion on AnswerPool

Thank you Dorian. I never knew this question had been asked, and how on earth did you remember it? LOL

I'm one of those people with a strange memory (and with strange memories, too). I don't always remember if I took my meds in the morning, but I can remember whole conversations from years ago. I've always been like this. (It really didn't endear me to my wife, when I was married, that I would remember exactly what was said in an argument a week, a month, a year later. )

Having such a memory is not necessarily a good thing. You tend to remember every detail of when you've make a fool of yourself, and when you have hurt another person. On the other hand, I generally make $10-$20 every Saturday playing in trivia contests.

I believe that it is also true that either side can ask for a directed verdict from the judge before a case goes to the jury, and if the requesting side gets a directed verdict for all claims, the jury will be dismissed.