Watterson v. Superior Court
Watterson v. Superior Court
Opinion of the Court
Petitioners (defendants in a civil action) herein sought the issuance of a writ of mandamus to compel Hon. Kenneth C. Chatwin, a judge of the Superior Court, to issue an order that “a new trial as to all issues” in that action be had. The civil action had been tried to a jury, which failed to reach a verdict. The court declared a mistrial and discharged the jury. Defendants had previously timely moved for a directed verdict. Defendants then moved the court for judgment in accordance with their previous motion for a directed verdict. The trial court denied this motion. Petitioners then urged that the court’s only alternative was to enter an order for “a new trial” under Rule 50(b).
Petitioners state that such an order leaves them in limbo should they desire to appeal. They point out that under A.R.S. § 12-2101(F) (1)
Rule 50(b) and Rule 39(g)
In this instant matter, there being no final determination by the jury on the facts upon which a judgment could have been entered, the court declined to make such determination, and merely put into effect a procedure to insure that the case would be tried again with the expectation
“Whenever a motion for a directed ver- ' diet made at the close of all the evidence is denied or for any reason is not granted, the court is deemed to have submitted the action to the jury subject to a later determination of the legal questions raised by the motion. Within ten days after the reception of a verdict, a party
. This section specifically states that an order “granting or refusing a new trial” is an appealable order.
. “The jurors may, after the action is submitted to them, be discharged by the court when they have been kept together for such time as to render it altogether improbable that they can agree, or when a calamity, sickness or accident may, in the opinion of the court, require it. When a jury has been discharged without having rendered a verdict the action may be tried again.” Rule 39(g), 16 A.R.S. Rules of Civil Procedure (1956).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Robert P. WATTERSON and Jean Hoffman, copartners, doing business as Scottsdale Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Home v. The SUPERIOR COURT of the State of Arizona, IN AND FOR the COUNTY OF MARICOPA, and Kenneth C. Chatwin, Judge of the Superior Court of Maricopa County, and M. E. Ress and Sally Ress
- Status
- Published