what are some of the strategic purposes of filing motions as an attorney

by Prof. Flavio Marks 8 min read

What are the uses of a motion in court?

Apr 01, 2015 · Two important pre-motion strategies are effective. First, identify and resolve potential conflicts, including both multiple and successive representations, before undertaking a representation or hiring a lateral. Where a conflict exists, an effective written consent is the best defense to a motion to disqualify.

What are the basic procedures for filing a motion in court?

Motions are ubiquitous in both civil and criminal trials and they are essential to keeping the courts moving. Motions can be filed before, during, and even after the trial has taken place. These motions help establish the parameters by which a fair trial can be best ensured and for placing greater confidence in the justice system.

Can a motion be used to resolve an issue before trial?

Aug 17, 2015 · Application for immigration benefit: In some instances, an attorney can file a motion to terminate when a client qualifies for an immigration benefit or is eligible for naturalization. For example, if a client qualifies for a U Visa, meaning that he is assisting with the prosecution of a crime and therefore protected from deportation, the defense attorney and …

What does it mean to file a motion?

Filing Motions To Resolve The Case Or Narrow Issues Learn how to file a “motion” (a written request for some type of relief) to get your case – or part of your case - in front of the judge for a decision. You can use motions to try to resolve the case completely. Or you can use them to resolve some specific issue before trial. Overview

What is the purpose of a legal motion?

In United States law, a motion is a procedural device to bring a limited, contested issue before a court for decision. It is a request to the judge (or judges) to make a decision about the case.

Why would a lawyer issue a motion in a case?

Motions may be used in numerous ways to aid your case. They can be used to obtain information, to dismiss cases, or to trim cases down. They can be simple, such as a basic request to extend a deadline, or highly technical (requiring the attorneys to submit complex memoranda).

What is a motion filing?

What it means to file a motion: A motion, in its simplest form is a list of requests that you are asking the Court grant on your behalf. You, or your attorney on your behalf, will file a Notice of Motion which includes a list of requests for the court to rule upon.Mar 17, 2020

How may a demurrer be used as a strategic or tactical tool during the course of litigation?

First, in challenging procedural issues such as jurisdiction and venue, a demurrer can be a useful tool to move a case to a more suitable court or geographic location. Second, a demurrer can be used to narrow issues and remove claims from the complaint.Mar 23, 2015

What types of motions are there in court?

Motion to dismiss. ... Discovery motions. ... Motion to compel. ... Motion to strike. ... Motion for summary judgment. ... Motion for a directed verdict. ... Motion for nolle prosequi. ... Motion in Limine.More items...

What is included in a motion?

A motion is a written request made to the court, asking the judge to issue an order. ... The motion must include a separate "Notice of Motion" which includes a brief summary of the nature of the motion, the deadline for filing a response, and if there is a hearing, the date, time, and location of the hearing.

What are the 4 types of motions?

The four types of motion are:linear.rotary.reciprocating.oscillating.

What is the difference between an application and a motion?

An application is a form of legal proceeding. A motion, however, is not a separate proceeding. Rather, a motion is a procedure by which particular relief is sought within the framework of an existing (or impending) action.Jun 30, 2008

How do you write a motion?

If you want to file a motion, the process is generally something like this:You write your motion.You file your motion with the court clerk.The court clerk inserts the date and time your motion will be heard by the judge.You “serve” (mail) your motion to the other side.More items...

What is the purpose of demurrer?

The real purpose of a demurrer is to make sure that each element of a legal claim is established through pleaded facts. If a complaint or petition does not at least accomplish that basic requirement, then there's no reason for the court to take the matter forward.Sep 17, 2015

What does motion to demurrer mean?

A demurrer is a plea in response to an allegation that admits its truth but also asserts that it is not sufficient as a cause of action. In the US, demurrers are no longer used in federal procedure (having been replaced by motions to dismiss or motions for more definite statement) but are still used in some states.

What happens after a demurrer is filed?

When a demurrer is filed to a complaint the defendant, for the purposes of the demurrer, admits the truth of the allegations thereof. The questions of law thus raised are submitted to the court for decision, If the demur- rer is sustained, the plaintiff may usually amend.

What is worse for an attorney than getting a new big matter?

Few things are worse for an attorney than getting a new big matter, starting work on it, and then facing a motion to disqualify. At that point, the attorney is put in the awkward position of either explaining to the client why he or she should pay more money to keep the attorney, or absorbing the fees associated with defending ...

What is insider information in litigation?

Frequently, a former client accuses the attorney of having “insider information” regarding the client that does not rise to the level of a client confidence. Indeed, even if the attorney does not possess any direct information regarding the present lawsuit or transaction, the client may say that the attorney understands how the client thinks and acts. The attorney may know the client’s bottom line for settlement or how the client prefers to approach litigation. This is often referred to as “playbook knowledge”—the attorney knows the client’s paths and approaches.

How many types of motions are there?

Eleven Types of Legal Motions in U.S. Law. For a court to take most actions on an issue that is in dispute, either party in a case must ask the court to decide on that issue. When a plaintiff, prosecutor, or defendant asks the court or judge to rule on a specific issue, that request is known as a motion. Legal motions are one of the most common ...

What is a legal motion?

Legal motions are one of the most common facets of the American justice system and they ensure that controversial or disputed issues related to a case can be settled quickly and efficiently so that the case itself can ultimately be resolved in an effective manner.

Can you make a motion for a new trial?

Either party can make a motion for a new trial if they believe that a significant error was made during the trial that necessitates a new trial. For example, evidence may have been introduced during the trial which had already been excluded because of a motion in limine.

What is a motion to dismiss?

A motion to dismiss, which is more popularly known as “throwing out” a case, is requested when one side (usually the defendant) contends that the plaintiff’s claim is not one on which the court can rule. In other words, when a motion to dismiss happens, the moving party is not contesting the facts as presented by the other party, ...

What is discovery motion?

Discovery motions. During the discovery process both parties to a lawsuit or case will collect information and evidence that they can then use to build their case. The discovery process, like its name suggests, is when the prosecution and defense make efforts to discover all the facts of the case.

What is a motion to compel discovery?

A number of different motions can be used to ensure that both sides are able to handle the discovery process to the best of their abilities. If the other party fails to respond to a request for information, for example, then a motion to compel discovery of that information could force that party to provide a response.

What is a motion for summary judgment?

Motion for summary judgment. A motion for summary judgment is perhaps the most frequently made motion. While not always available in all cases, the motion for summary judgment is made before the trial begins. This motion asks the judge to make a decision on the case without going to trial. Such a motion can only occur if none of the facts ...

What is a genuine issue of material fact?

A “genuine issue of material fact” means that a critical fact in the case is in dispute.

What is a motion in civil court?

A “motion” is a written request to the judge that asks for a ruling on some issue in the case. (NRCP 7 (b); JCRCP 7 (b).) 1.

How long does it take to file an opposition to a motion in the mail?

When the other side receives your motion in the mail, she has ten business days (plus three calendar days) to file a written opposition to your motion with the court. You should receive a copy of the other side’s opposition in the mail.

How long do you have to reply to a court order?

If you are in the district court, you can file and serve a reply any time up to five business days before the hearing date. (EDCR 2.20 (h).) You must deliver a courtesy copy of your motion, the opposition, and your reply to the judge’s chambers at least five days before the hearing date. (EDCR 2.20 (g).)

What is a pre-trial motion?

Pre-Trial Motions. One of the last steps a prosecutor takes before trial is to respond to or file motions. A motion is an application to the court made by the prosecutor or defense attorney, requesting that the court make a decision on a certain issue before the trial begins.

What is a motion to dismiss?

Motion to Dismiss – an attempt to get the judge to dismiss a charge or the case. This may be done if there is not enough evidence, if the alleged facts do not amount to a crime. Motion to Suppress – an attempt to keep certain statements or evidence from being introduced as evidence.

What is a motion in a court case?

During judicial proceedings, both sides may make requests of the judge , known as "motions". Motions may be made verbally or in written form, which will request anything from a simple change in the date of a trial to a motion to dismiss the entire case. In any case, motions may be made before, during, or after a trial by either side's legal counsel.

What happens if a jury returns a not guilty verdict?

For starters, if a jury returns a not guilty verdict, prosecutors cannot retry the case at a new location , under an appeal, or at the request of the judge. If the jury returns a guilty verdict, the defense is at liberty to file a number of post-trial motions. One of the more sweeping motions is the motion to a judge requesting them to overturn a jury's verdict. This motion is rarely granted. Another option for defendants is to request another trial, which may or may not be granted by the presiding judge. Additionally, defendants can make a motion to appeal to a higher court.

What is a motion in a criminal trial?

Trial Motions in a Criminal Case. During trial, both sides can make motions to the judge. For example, the defense may file a motion in limine, which attempts to keep inadmissible evidence out of the court and from the knowledge of jurors before it is even introduced. Another example, while much rarer, includes a motion to allow jury ...

What are the motions filed before a trial?

Some of the commonly filed motions before a trial, include: Motion to modify bail , which requests a judge modify a defendant's bail status.

What is a motion to preserve evidence?

Motion to preserve evidence , which forces the prosecution to preserve all evidence until a defense investigator or expert can evaluate the evidence. Motion to disclose identity of an informant, which if approved, will allow the defense to attack the credibility of an informant's motives and testimony.

What is a motion in a lawsuit?

What Is a Motion? When you become involved in a lawsuit, you may want the court to agree to something outside of the normal litigation process. For example, you or your opponent may want the court to drop the case ( motion to dismiss) or to decide the winner without having to undergo a full trial ( motion for summary judgment ). ...

Do motions require a hearing?

A motion either requires a hearing or does not require a hearing, and the decision to hold a hearing on certain motions may be made by the judge on a case-by-case basis. You may request a hearing on your motion. Thank you for subscribing!

What is a motion for summary judgment?

Motions are quite diverse, but the most prevalent one is a motion for summary judgment. If you bring a motion for summary judgment, you are asking the court to make a final ruling on the case before a trial has been conducted. This could be of great benefit, depending on the case, since you save time, money, and energy from having to further litigate your case. However, motion for summary judgments are not always available to litigating parties. For a motion for summary judgment to be granted, there must be no genuine issue of material fact – the reason this is important is because the judge/jury is expected to make decisions about the facts of the case at trial, so in order to skip the trial process, there cannot be leftover issues that should have gone to trial. If there is even one genuine issue of material fact, the court must deny the motion for summary judgment and move the case forward to trial.

What is a motion in court?

A motion is a request for a court to do something in a case that is currently open in that court. Therefore, a motion can be filed only in a case that is open and still in progress.

How to check if a court has a blank motion?

1. Check if the court has blank motion forms. Some courts have "check the boxes" or "fill in the blank" motion forms. Look for these forms on the court's website, or contact the clerk of the court where your case has been assigned. If your court does not have blank motion forms, don't use a blank form from another state.

What is the heading of a court case?

The heading information is called the caption . Typically, the caption includes the name of the court, the name of the parties, and the case number. This information should always remain in the same form in all documents filed in your case, both in content and format.