what would cause a defense attorney to ask for a change of venue?

by Tamara Huel 6 min read

Negative pretrial publicity is the most common reason for seeking a change of venue. But some publicity won't justify a venue change—the publicity has to be severe enough to the point that it affects the ability to find an impartial jury. (Lawyers often refer to publicity having "tainted" the jury pool.)

Grounds for Change. To achieve a change of venue, defendants typically have to show a reasonable likelihood that they can't receive a fair trial. That reasonable likelihood is usually due to pretrial publicity, but it could have to do with some other event making it almost impossible to find an impartial jury.

Full Answer

How does a judge decide to change the venue of a case?

Feb 19, 2015 · Email. 42. Change Of Venue. Section 1404 (a) of Title 28 provides that: "for the convenience of parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice, a district may transfer any civil action to any other district where it might have been brought." Any party, including plaintiff, may move for a transfer under 28 U.S.C. § 1404 (a).

Can a defendant waive the right to challenge a venue change?

Apr 18, 2022 · A request for a change of venue is generally made before the trial begins, in which case it is called a pretrial motion, or change of venue motion. If the party remains silent regarding the venue, they are said to have waived their right to challenge the venue. Entering into a guilty plea also disqualifies the defendant from requesting a motion ...

What is a request for a change of venue?

Apr 10, 2014 · Venue refers to the location where a lawsuit is filed. A change of venue is a change of the court. If venue is improper, for example because the venue has no connection to the parties or the dispute, then the venue can be changed. I doubt there's a form; you probably have to prepare and file a motion.

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In what instance might a defendant request a change of venue?

Change of Venue in California

Reasons for changes of venue include pretrial publicity, bias, political atmosphere, and any other circumstance that the parties believe would prevent them from obtaining a fair trial in the county in which the case was originally filed.

Why would a defendant ask for a trial to be moved to another location?

Defendants in high-profile criminal cases often look to move their trials to another county or state as a way of improving the odds of finding jurors who are not already inclined to believing they are guilty.Feb 20, 2015

What does it mean to change the venue of a trial?

Understanding the Motion for Change of Venue

When a Motion for Change of Venue is filed in a criminal case, it means either the prosecution or the defense is asking the judge to move the upcoming trial to a different place.

What is the legal term for change of venue?

: a procedure available under title 28 section 1404 of the U.S. Code for the transfer of a case by a court in which the case is brought to another court where the case could have been properly brought and which would be more convenient for the parties and witnesses and better serve the interests of justice — compare ...

Why would a defendant ask for a trial to be moved to another location quizlet?

Why would a defendant ask for a trial to be moved to another location? the jurors in a district might be prejudiced to the case.

What are the levels of burden of proof?

There are three burdens of proof that exist for most cases: proof beyond a reasonable doubt, clear and convincing evidence, and preponderance of the evidence.

Who makes the final decision regarding a change of venue request?

In these cases, the trial judge is given great deference in most jurisdictions by appellate courts in making the decision as to whether there is a more appropriate venue. A change of venue may be reflected in the formal language used in a trial.

What is the reason to change the venue?

Grounds for Change. To achieve a change of venue, defendants typically have to show a reasonable likelihood that they can't receive a fair trial. That reasonable likelihood is usually due to pretrial publicity, but it could have to do with some other event making it almost impossible to find an impartial jury.

Can you switch court locations?

If the venue you originally chose for your family law case is no longer a convenient location, you can petition the court to transfer your case somewhere else. This applies to: Divorce, domestic partnership dissolution, or legal separation cases.Jun 15, 2021

What type of motion is used to move a case to another jurisdiction?

A motion for change of venue ensures that a case is heard in the best location. There are two basic requirements that must be met before a court can hear a case. The first is jurisdiction, which means that the court has the authority to decide the legal issues which affect the rights of the parties in the case.

What is a motion for suppression?

A motion to suppress is a motion that revolves around the exclusion of evidence from trial. In the United States, a motion to suppress is a request made by a criminal defendant in advance of a criminal trial asking the court to exclude certain evidence from the trial.

What is the doctrine of forum non conveniens?

Latin for "inconvenient forum" this common law doctrine allows a court to dismiss a civil action (even though the forum or venue is proper and the court has jurisdiction over the case and the parties) where an appropriate and more convenient alternative forum exists in which to try the action.

Can a court change venue?

Courts are reluctant to change venue, and defendants can usually get only one venue change. Changing venue can affect the entire case. Further, the law on venue change may vary from state to state and from state to federal court. So, it's crucial to rely on an experienced attorney for explanation and advice.

Can a judge change the venue of a trial without a request?

Normally, in order to seek a venue change, the defense must file a written motion with affidavits demonstrating why the defendant can't receive a fair trial. Some states, though, allow the judge to change venue without a request.

What is venue in a criminal case?

The venue in a criminal case is the court that will hear the matter. In a typical case, jurisdiction would rest with a state, while venue would lie in a particular county—usually the county where the crime occurred. But a defendant can request that her trial move to another county. And if there's a reasonable likelihood ...

Can a defendant have a fair trial?

But a defendant doesn't have the right to a trial in the county of his choice. Circumstances that make juror impartiality unlikely can, however, arise. In those circumstances, defense attorneys often "move" to have the trial take place somewhere else. (In most states, the prosecution can't request a change of venue.)

Is changing venue a constitutional right?

The ability to change venue is related to the constitutional right to a fair trial, but it itself isn't considered a constitutional right. Instead, it's a privilege that's capable of being waived. The effect is that, in most states, if a defendant doesn't move for a change of venue before the designated stage, he's lost the right to challenge venue and can't raise the issue on appeal.

What is an affidavit?

An affidavit is a written statement of facts that the "affiant" (person making the statement) swears to be true. An affidavit typically requires a signature and usually includes language acknowledging that the affiant is open to prosecution for perjury if any assertions aren't true.

What is a motion for change of venue?

A motion for change of venue ensures that a case is heard in the best location. There are two basic requirements that must be met before a court can hear a case. The first is jurisdiction, which means that the court has the authority to decide the legal issues which affect the rights of the parties in the case.

What is the difference between jurisdiction and venue?

The first is jurisdiction, which means that the court has the authority to decide the legal issues which affect the rights of the parties in the case. The second is venue, which decides whether the court is in the best location to hear the case. Although this may sound unimportant, there are actually very strict rules concerning where ...

What is a memorandum of law?

Usually a memorandum of law must accompany this motion, which lays out all law and the arguments for why the venue should be moved. Last, but not least, there are often rules about when during a case a motion for change ...

What is the rule for change of venue?

For change of venue, Rule 76 (A) states that: In civil actions where the venue may be changed from the county, such change of venue from the county may be had only upon the filing of a verified motion specifically stating the grounds therefor by the party requesting the change.

What is the rule of criminal procedure?

The Rules of Criminal Procedure shall govern proceedings to enforce a statute defining an infraction. The right to a change of judge is separate from the right to a change of venue. The bar for changing a judge in a trial is lower than that for changing venue.

What is the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure?

The rules. Changes of venue or of a judge are governed by the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure, and specifically Rule 76. Let’s look first at the rule regarding change of venue. For change of venue, Rule 76 (A) states that: In civil actions where the venue may be changed from the county, such change of venue from the county may be had only upon ...

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Change needed?

  • Someone accused of a crime generally has the right to a fair trial by an impartial jury. But a defendant doesn't have the right to a trial in the county of his choice. Circumstances that make juror impartiality unlikely can, however, arise. In those circumstances, defense attorneys often "move" to have the trial take place somewhere else. (In most states, the prosecution can't reques…
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Grounds For Change

  • To achieve a change of venue, defendants typically have to show a reasonable likelihood that they can't receive a fair trial. That reasonable likelihood is usually due to pretrial publicity, but it could have to do with some other event making it almost impossible to find an impartial jury. Venue changes can also happen when the current venue is simply the wrong one. For instance, if the cr…
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Requesting A Change

  • Normally, in order to seek a venue change, the defense must file a written motion with affidavits demonstrating why the defendant can't receive a fair trial. Some states, though, allow the judge to change venue without a request. Judges usually decide motions to change venue because of bad publicity after voir dire. Judges are typically afforded si...
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Waiver

  • The ability to change venue is related to the constitutional right to a fair trial, but it itself isn't considered a constitutional right. Instead, it's a privilege that's capable of being waived. The effect is that, in most states, if a defendant doesn't move for a change of venue before the designated stage, he's lost the right to challenge venue and can't raise the issue on appeal.
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Consult An Attorney

  • Courts are reluctant to change venue, and defendants can usually get only one venue change. Changing venue can affect the entire case. Further, the law on venue change may vary from state to state and from state to federal court. So, it's crucial to rely on an experienced attorney for explanation and advice.
See more on nolo.com