<P> The term "verdict", from the Latin veredictum, literally means "to say the truth" and is derived from Middle English verdit, from Anglo - Norman: a compound of ver ("true", from the Latin vērus) and dit ("speech", from the Latin dictum, the neuter past participle of dīcere, to say). </P> <P> In a criminal case, the verdict, which may be either "not guilty" or "guilty"--except in Scotland where the verdict of "not proven" is also available--is handed down by the jury . Different counts in the same case may have different verdicts . </P> <P> A verdict of guilty in a criminal case is generally followed by a judgment of conviction rendered by judge, which in turn be followed by sentencing . </P> <P> In U.S. legal nomenclature, the verdict is the finding of the jury on the questions of fact submitted to it . Once the court (the judge) receives the verdict, the judge enters judgment on the verdict . The judgment of the court is the final order in the case . If the defendant is found guilty, he can choose to appeal the case to the local Court of Appeals . </P>

Who reads the verdict in a jury trial