A motion for judgment as a matter of law is considered the first step to a dismissal.

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A motion for judgment as a matter of law (formerly known as a directed verdict) is a request for the court to rule in favor of one party based on the evidence presented, because there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to reach a different conclusion. It is not the first step to a dismissal but rather a request for a judgment without letting the matter go to a jury decision. Dismissal motions, such as motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, are typically filed before a case goes to trial, not during the trial.

A Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law Is