In superior courts upon receipt of a verdict, an entry must be made in the minutes of the court, specifying the time of trial, the names of the jurors and witnesses, and setting out the verdict at length; and where a special verdict is found, either the judgment rendered thereon, or if the case be reserved for argument or further consideration, the order thus reserving it.
§ 628.Entry In Minutes of Court Upon Receipt of Verdict
Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 4. Trial by Jury · Article 3. The Verdict · Last amended 2003 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 628 requires the superior court clerk, upon receiving a jury verdict, to enter minutes specifying the time of trial, the jurors and witnesses, and the verdict in full, and, for a special verdict, either the resulting judgment or the order reserving the case for argument or further consideration.
Full Text of § 628
Plain-English Summary
Once a jury delivers its verdict, the court's record has to capture the essentials right away. Section 628 requires an entry in the minutes specifying the time of trial, the names of the jurors and witnesses, and the verdict itself, set out in full.
Special verdicts get an extra layer of record-keeping. When the jury has found a special verdict, the minutes must also reflect either the judgment the court renders on that verdict, or, if the court instead reserves the case for argument or further consideration, the order doing so.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must the minutes record after a jury verdict?
The time of trial, the names of the jurors and witnesses, and the verdict set out at length.
Is anything extra required for a special verdict?
Yes. The minutes must also show either the judgment rendered on the special verdict, or the order reserving the case for argument or further consideration if that's what the court does instead.
Who is responsible for making this entry?
The court, upon receipt of the verdict, in superior courts.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2002 ch 784 (SB 1316),s 63, eff. 1/1/2003.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: entry of verdict in minutes californiacourt record of jury verdict