Misdirection Law and Legal Definition
Misdirection is an error made by a judge in charging or instructing the jury in a special case regarding matters of law or matters of fact. If it is with regard to matters of law which is very relevant to the issue the verdict will be set aside, irrespective of the nature of the case. A new trial may be granted in such cases or sometimes the judgment may be reversed. When mixed questions of law and fact are involved, misdirection will avoid the verdict. Misdirection related to matters of fact may be sufficient to vitiate the proceedings. The effect of misdirection is to be looked into to determine whether the proceedings are to be vitiated. It must have caused injustice to any of the parties. If there is possibility for the same verdict to come if a new trial is conducted, then the error would be avoided and a new trial will not be granted.
