The verdict of a jury is either general or special. A general verdict is that by which they pronounce generally upon all or any of the issues, either in favor of the plaintiff or defendant. A special verdict is that by which the jury finds facts only. It must present the facts as established by the evidence, and not the evidence to prove them; and they must be so presented as that nothing remains to the court but to draw from them conclusions of law.
§ 587.General and Special Verdict
Chapter 11: Trial · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSection 587 distinguishes a general verdict, where the jury rules for the plaintiff or the defendant on the issues, from a special verdict, where the jury finds only the facts established by the evidence and leaves the court to draw the legal conclusions from them.
Full Text of § 587
Amendment History
R.L. 1910, § 5012.
Plain-English Summary
A verdict is either general or special. A general verdict is the jury pronouncing generally on all or any of the issues, in favor of the plaintiff or the defendant. A special verdict is different: the jury finds facts only, presenting the facts as established by the evidence rather than the evidence used to prove them, presented so that nothing is left for the court but to draw the conclusions of law from those facts.
Section 588 lets the court supplement a general verdict with particular factual questions, and Section 589 addresses what happens when a special finding conflicts with a general verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a general verdict and a special verdict in Oklahoma?
A general verdict is the jury ruling generally for the plaintiff or defendant on the issues; a special verdict has the jury find only the facts, leaving the court to draw legal conclusions from them.
Does a special verdict decide who wins the case?
Not directly. It presents the facts as the evidence established them, and the court draws the legal conclusions -- including who prevails -- from those facts.
What is a jury supposed to include in a special verdict?
The facts as established by the evidence, not the evidence used to prove them, presented so nothing remains but for the court to draw conclusions of law.
Can a jury give both a general and special verdict in the same case?
Section 588 lets the court, at a party's request, direct the jury to answer particular fact questions in addition to a general verdict, which the Code requires in every case.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: general verdict vs special verdict oklahomawhat is a special verdict12 O.S. § 587