Arkansas Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict, or in the Alternative, for a New Trial — Prejudicial Statements at Trial In Arkansas, a Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict, or in the Alternative, for a New Trial can be filed in cases where prejudicial statements were made at trial. This legal motion is designed to address instances where statements during the trial may have influenced the jury's decision, leading to an unfair or erroneous verdict. Types of Arkansas Motions for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict, or in the Alternative, for a New Trial — Prejudicial Statements at Trial: 1. Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict (NOV): This motion argues that despite the jury's verdict, the judge should rule in favor of the party making the motion because the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support the verdict. Prejudicial statements are often used as one of the grounds for this type of motion. 2. Motion for a New Trial: This motion requests the court to set aside the verdict and order a new trial due to various reasons, including prejudicial statements. Prejudicial statements can be a basis for requesting a new trial as they can have a substantial impact on the fairness and outcome of the proceedings. 3. Motion for a Directed Verdict: Although not specifically related to prejudicial statements, a Motion for a Directed Verdict can be used as an initial strategy to prevent the introduction of potentially prejudicial statements during the trial. This motion seeks a judgment in favor of the moving party because, even assuming all the evidence presented is true, the opposing party has failed to establish a legally sufficient case. When it comes to prejudicial statements at trial, it is crucial to establish certain elements to support the motion(s) for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial. These elements may include: a. The statement(s) in question: The motion should identify the specific statements that were made during the trial and argue how they were prejudicial. Prejudicial statements could include irrelevant evidence, hearsay, inflammatory language, or any legally impermissible form of communication that could sway the jury's decision. b. Impact on the trial outcome: The moving must establish that these prejudicial statements significantly influenced the jury's verdict, leading to an unfair outcome. It is essential to demonstrate a causal link between the statements and the jury's decision. c. Violation of legal standards: The motion should cite relevant legal standards, such as rules of evidence or constitutional rights, which were violated by the prejudicial statements. These violations should be presented as strong grounds for the court to take action and correct the unfairness caused by the statements. When filing a Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict, or in the Alternative, for a New Trial based on prejudicial statements at trial, it is crucial to provide persuasive arguments, supporting case law, and clearly articulate how the statements undermined the fairness of the trial process. By doing so, the party can seek relief from an improper verdict and ensure the integrity of the judicial system.