constitutional-law civil-law jury judge
How can a civil judge override the jury&#39;s award?
<p>In a civil case in which the jury decides an award for the plaintiff, under what circumstances and with what limits can a judge reduce this award?</p>

<p>Does this implicate either the 6th or 7th Amendments?</p>

<p>Judicial review of the size of punitive damages is a "well-established common-law protection against arbitrary and inaccurate adjudication" and without it, the defendant is deprived of Due Process guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. <a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/512/415/case.html" rel="nofollow">Honda Motor Co. v. Oberg 512 U.S. 415 (1994)</a>.</p>

<p>While the Seventh Amendment protects your right to a jury trial in civil matters, the Constitution also protects the defendant against excessive awards under the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.</p>

<p>If the judge believes the award is too high or too low, the judge can use <a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Additur" rel="nofollow">additur</a> or <a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/remittitur" rel="nofollow">remittitur</a> to reduce the damages.</p>

<p>These are essentially offers to both parties to agree to the change in damages. If both parties do not agree, the court can order a new trial.</p>
