Rules Governing Criminal Practice - 3:18

RULE 3:18. Motion For Judgment Of Acquittal 3:18-1. Motion Before Submission to Jury At the close of the States case or after the evidence of all parties has been closed, the court shall, on defendants motion or its own initiative, order the entry of a judgment of acquittal of one or more offenses charged in the indictment or accusation if the evidence is insufficient to warrant a conviction. A defendant may offer evidence after denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal made at the close of the States case without having reserved the right. Note: Source-R.R. 3:7-6; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994. 3:18-2. Motion After Discharge of Jury If the jury returns a verdict of guilty or is discharged without having returned a verdict, a motion for judgment of acquittal may be made, even if not earlier made pursuant to R. 3:18-1 or it may be renewed within 10 days after the jury is discharged or within such further time as the court fixes during the 10-day period. The court on such motion may set aside a verdict of guilty and order the entry of a judgment of acquittal and may so order if no verdict has been returned.