why would an attorney request a change of venue

by Keara Krajcik 3 min read

If you are a defendant in a criminal case, the law guarantees you the right to a fair trial. If the location where your trial is to be held could possibly jeopardize this right, your attorney may file a Motion for Change of Venue. If granted, the case will be tried in a different location where you are more likely to receive fair treatment.

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

What is a change of venue in a criminal case?

Jun 20, 2016 · There are cases that are famous (or infamous) in a particular locality, and a party may wish to change venue so that jurors are less likely to have heard of the case and, therefore, be unbiased. Each state and the federal jurisdiction have their own rules concerning venue, so be sure to check your local statutes or consult with an attorney to find out where you should bring …

Do I need a motion for a change of venue?

Feb 19, 2015 · 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."

How do you ask a judge to change the venue?

A change of venue is a serious decision that will have major effects on the outcome of the trial. An experienced trial criminal attorney can help you decide whether a motion for change of venue is desirable. A lawyers are often familiarized with the rules and procedures in other jurisdictions, and they can draw upon their experience in selecting a venue that is most advantageous for …

What are the reasons for a change of venue?

Aug 23, 2019 · Pursuant to CPLR 511, a defendant that believes a plaintiff selected an improper venue must serve a written demand (a “Demand”) to change the place of trial to a county deemed proper by the defendant. CPLR 511 (a) and (b). The Demand must be served “with the answer or before the answer is served.”. CPLR 511 (a).

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What is the procedure for changing venue?

When one party wants to change venue, she must file a motion for change of venue. Most jurisdictions have strict requirements for the motion, which can be found in that jurisdiction's rules of procedure. Usually a memorandum of law must accompany this motion, which lays out all law and the arguments for why the venue should be moved.

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.

Can a real estate case be heard in the same county?

Cases that involve real estate usually must be heard by the court in the same county as the real estate. Sometimes a case is filed in a court that is too far for one of the parties to travel, and was done so deliberately to make it difficult for the parties to participate in the case. In these circumstances, the affected party could probably successfully seek to have venue changed.

Why do people change their 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.)

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 ...

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

What is a motion to change venue?

A motion for change of venue is usually done before the trial begins, in which case it is called a pretrial motion . If the party remains silent regarding venue, they are deemed to have waived their right to challenge venue. Entering in a guilty plea also disqualifies the defendant from requesting a motion to change venue.

What is venue in court?

Before it can render a decision, a court must verify that it has jurisdiction. On the other hand, venue simply refers to the geographic location of the court.

What is venue in criminal law?

In criminal cases, venue is the location where the particular crime was committed. If the crime was initiated in one area but completed in another, then the trial may be held at any of those locations. This is also true if multiple crimes were committed in various jurisdictions. Venue is term that is often confused with “jurisdiction”.

What is the interest of justice?

Interests of Justice: This is a catch-all doctrine that allows a trial to be relocated due to a variety of factors, such as: travel costs, judicial expenditures, location of witnesses or evidence, and choice of applicable law. A judge has the discretion to determine whether a change of venue is appropriate.

What is the discretion of a judge?

A judge has the discretion to determine whether a change of venue is appropriate. Procedural requirements may also force the trial to change locations, such as when a trial is transferred from a state to federal court.

What are the reasons for a criminal case?

A defendant in a criminal case is not guaranteed the right to any particular venue. The venue may be changed and the case relocated for many reasons such as: 1 Pretrial publicity: The jury may become impartial due to press leaks surrounding the case. As a result, the case may be moved to a different jurisdiction or state in order to prevent juror hostility or prejudice. 2 Improper venue: The defendant argues that the current venue is not proper according to rules of procedure 3 Interests of Justice: This is a catch-all doctrine that allows a trial to be relocated due to a variety of factors, such as: travel costs, judicial expenditures, location of witnesses or evidence, and choice of applicable law

What is the venue of a trial in New York?

The location of the place of trial ( or venue) of a legal proceeding in New York State is the location where the action is brought. The plaintiff, as the party bringing the proceeding, generally gets to choose, in the first instance, venue. Plaintiffs, however, do not always choose a proper venue (“Improper Venue Selection”). In such instances, a defendant has an opportunity to change the Improper Venue Selection to a proper one. See CPLR 510 (1) . Other times, although venue is proper, a defendant (or even a plaintiff) may seek a change based on considerations such as the convenience of witnesses and/or potential prejudice to a party should the action proceed in the venue chosen by the plaintiff (a “Discretionary Change”). See CPLR 510 (2) and (3).

Where is the place of trial?

Except where otherwise prescribed by law, the place of trial shall be in the county in which one of the parties resided when it was commenced; the county in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred;  or, if none of the parties then resided in the state, in any county designated by the plaintiff.

Jorge Ledezma Flores

Venue is generally proper where the accident occurred or where the contract was signed and/or was to be performed. Therefore, if an accident happened in Tucson, the proper venue would be the Tucson Superior Court.

David William Neel

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.

Alexander Silkman

A change of venue essentially means you are changing the location of where a trial will take place. Typically it is seen when a defendant feels the current venue is either improper for some reason, or not as appropriate as another venue.#N#As far as the forms, what type of case is this?

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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 reque
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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 significant leeway in deciding whether to c…
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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.
See more on nolo.com

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