what does it mean when my lawyer says he is filing a motion?

Ask your attorney what motion they filed and why. A Motion is asking the court to do something, or asking the court to order someone to do something. This answer is for general information purposes only.

Full Answer

What does it mean to file a motion in court?

Motion Basics. A motion is a written request or proposal to the court to obtain an asked-for order, ruling, or direction. There are a variety of motions, and it has become standard practice to file certain kinds of motions with the court based on the type of case.

Do you need an attorney to file a motion in court?

In the United States, you do not need an attorney to file a motion to a court. However, if you want it done right and you want to make sure the judge pays attention to it, it helps. It especially helps if you want to be sure that you are filing the correct motion.

Why would a lawyer file a motion to withdraw?

Another reason a lawyer may file a motion to withdraw is when their client refuses to receive or adhere to the lawyer’s counsel. It’s important to remember that your lawyer has your best interests at heart; if you win, they win. For this reason, they may advise you on certain behaviors or actions you should refrain from doing.

When to file a reply to an opposition to a motion?

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 does it mean when a lawyer puts in a motion?

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. The motion can affect the trial, courtroom, defendants, evidence, or testimony. Only judges decide the outcome of motions.

Is a motion a good thing in court?

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.

What does motion mean in legal terms?

Motions. Motions are not pleadings but are requests for the judge to make a legal ruling. Some of the most common pre-trial motions include: Motion to Discover. A motion by which one party seeks to gain information from the adverse party.

What does motion mean in a court case?

1. What is a Motion? A motion is the method used to speak to the judge about a matter in your case. For example, a motion may be brought to ask the court to set aside a default or vacate a default judgment, or it may be brought to ask the court to order a judgment to be paid in installments.

What does it mean to file a motion?

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.

What happens at a motion hearing?

A motion hearing is a hearing that is held in front of the judge after one of the lawyers in the case has filed a written request for the judge to do something. At the hearing, the lawyers will orally argue for or against the request, and in some cases, testimony will be taken regarding the issue.

What is an example of a motion?

Examples Of Motion Our daily activities, like walking, running, closing the door, etc. involve motion. There is a change of position of the object involved in these activities. The flow of air in and out of our lungs is also an example of motion.

What are types of motion?

In the world of mechanics, there are four basic types of motion. These four are rotary, oscillating, linear and reciprocating.

Is a motion the same as a petition?

A motion is a request to a court for a desired ruling. It is either in writing or oral. A petition is a formal application in writing made to a court or other official body requesting judicial action of some character.

Is a motion a brief?

When a party (either through her lawyer or in pro per) submits a written legal argument to a court--usually to support a motion or a position asserted at a trial--the document is often called a brief.

What is a motion answer?

Motion is a change in position of an object over time. Motion is described in terms of displacement, distance, velocity, acceleration, time and speed.

How do you move a motion in court?

It is very simple. To move in terms, a lawyer simply introduces the motion to the court, stating the date on the motion paper and the date the same was filed, and then, sits down in order for the court to hear from the Counsel on the other side as to whether he would be opposing the application or not.

Why do lawyers file motions to withdraw?

Another reason a lawyer may file a motion to withdraw is when their client refuses to receive or adhere to the lawyer’s counsel. It’s important to remember that your lawyer has your best interests at heart; if you win, they win.

Why would a judge deny a motion?

One of the main reasons a judge would deny this motion is when the withdrawal of the lawyer would delay the trial date, or if the withdrawal comes too close to the time of the trial. If the judge denies a motion that has been filed due to ethical issues, the issues must be discussed in the court, which could really be a setback for the client.

What happens if a lawyer learns that their client is falsely testifying under oath?

If a lawyer learns that their client is falsely testifying under oath or has lied about situations and circumstances, the lawyer can file a motion to withdraw. On this motion, they will claim the reason for the withdraw to be “ethical reasons.”.

What does it mean when a client refuses to listen to their lawyer's advice?

A client refuses to listen to their lawyer’s advice. The lawyer finds that the client isn’t being truthful. While there are many other reasons an attorney may file a motion to withdraw, these are the most common. To learn more about the definition of motion to withdraw and why a lawyer may decide on this, keep reading.

What happens if a judge accepts a motion to withdraw?

If a judge accepts the motion, the lawyer will be dismissed from the case and required to keep the information they discovered confidentially. However, if the judge denies the motion, the reason for the motion to withdraw will be discussed in court. The lawyer will have to share that they learned the client was untruthful.

What happens if you ignore your lawyer's advice?

If you ignore your lawyer’s advice, the lawyer could file a motion to withdraw. At that point, they see that you aren’t willing to put everything into this case to win.

What happens when a lawyer breaks a contract?

When one party, whether it’s the lawyer or the client, feels as if the contract has been broken, this can lead to a motion to withdraw. Financial disputes are one of the main issues listed on most motions to withdraw. While financial guidelines are usually set in place through a client-lawyer contract, many clients don’t realize the number ...

Erik Glen Swanson

While this question is no longer timely, for the future, you should know that if you are representing yourself, you are held to the same standards as an attorney, which includes attendance at motions and other court dates (one of the many reasons it's better to have an attorney represent you)...

Mazyar Malek Hedayat

Your question indicates that plaintiff's counsel has filed a motion and now seeks a hearing. First, keep in mind that a motion is the only way to ask the Court to do anything in a case. To make something happen or keep something from happening, a motion must be brought (orally or in writing).

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 ). ...

Why is it important to file a motion?

Motions are strategically important to litigation, and it is especially important to keep track of what motions are available to you -- the court will not file a motion for you if you fail to do so. Courts usually have specific requirements for filing a motion, so either consult your attorney or look up the local court rules to understand ...

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.

Is a motion a hearing or non hearing?

Hearing vs. Non-Hearing Motions. 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!

Can a motion for summary judgment be used to dismiss a case?

An entire case can be decided on a motion for summary judgment if the motion encompasses all of the issues of that particular 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.

When can a motion be filed?

Motions can be filed in “pre-judgment” cases, where a final judgment of divorce has not yet been entered and motions can be filed in “post-judgment” matters, after a final judgment of divorce has been entered. When will a motion be heard by the Court: A motion is heard on a 24 day cycle, meaning that when you file a motion, ...

How long before a motion hearing date do you have to file a reply?

Finally, the “moving party” or the party that files the Notice of Motion will have the opportunity to submit a reply and must do so 7 days before the motion hearing date. What can you request in a Motion:

What is a motion for a court order?

March 17, 2020. 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. You will also submit a Certification listing ...

How long does it take for a motion to be heard?

When will a motion be heard by the Court: A motion is heard on a 24 day cycle, meaning that when you file a motion, you can expect that your case will be scheduled before a judge within approximately 24 days.

Do you have to serve a copy of a motion?

The other party must be served with a copy of any motion papers you file, because they have the opportunity to file a Response and if they elect a Notice of Cross-Motion with their own list of requests for the Court to consider, including their certified statement of why they are requesting their relief and opposing your requests for relief.

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 do you have to respond to a written opposition to a motion?

If your case is in the district court and the other side files a written opposition to your motion, you must deliver a courtesy copy of your motion, the opposition, and your reply (see below) to the judge’s chambers at least five days before the hearing date. (EDCR 2.20 (g).)

How long do you have to respond to an opposition?

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).)

What is the rule for summary judgment in Nevada?

If you are filing a summary judgment motion, familiarize yourself with Rule 56 of the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure (if your case is in district court) or Rule 56 of the Justice Court Rules of Civil Procedure (if your case is in justice court). Click to visit Rules and Laws. TIP!

What to do if your lawyer doubts you?

Tell the Truth. If your lawyer doubts you in the consultation, or doesn't think you have a case, while that may change over time, getting over an initial disbelief is very hard. You have to prove your case. Your attorney is not your witness. They are your advocate - but you are responsible for coming up with proof.

What happens if you don't pay your lawyer?

If you don't pay your lawyer on the day of trial, or however you have agreed to, then while he or she may be obligated by other ethical duties to do his/her best, they won't be motivated by sympathy for you, and it will show in court.

Why do people hire lawyers?

Most people hired attorneys because they don't want to sit in court. Well, truth be told, neither do I. The difference between lawyer and client is that the lawyer expects it to take a long time and understands. The client typically thinks it's unjustified. So, your hard truth is that each case takes time. Be patient.

Why is credibility important in court?

Credibility is one of the most important things in this world - and most important in a courtroom. If you care enough only to wear sweats to the courthouse, then the judge will see that you don't care, and that will be reflected in their desire to help you, listen to you, and decide in your favor. Step it up.

What to say when a judge can see your boobs?

If the judge can see your boobs, he's not listening to your story. If I can see your boobs, then I know you didn't care enough about yourself to talk to an attorney. Dress like you are going to church. Credibility is one of the most important things in this world - and most important in a courtroom.

What to do if no one can confirm a story is true?

If no one can confirm that the story is true, you will at least need something external, such as a hard copy document, to prove your case. Be prepared.

Can a lawyer take your money?

While lawyers can certainly take your money and your time and we can file a case that will be very hard to win, if you don't care enough about your life to get a contract, the judge is not very likely to be on your side. At least, not automatically. Oral contracts are extremely hard to prove. What are the terms.

Why do lawyers file for sanctions?

Lawyers may also file for sanctions if their opponents engage in needless tactics that delay the progress of litigation.

What is a sanction in a court case?

Courts may impose penalties, called sanctions, when improper conduct is employed during litigation. Sanctions are usually fines. A lawyer seeking sanctions must file a motion with the court. A hearing is set during which the lawyer must produce evidence of wrongful conduct. The lawyer may also suggest the amount of sanctions she believes is ...

What is frivolous defense?

A lawyer may file a request for sanctions in response to a frivolous lawsuit. A frivolous lawsuit is defined as a complaint that has no legal merit. Sanctions for frivolous actions include payment of the opposing party's costs and attorney's fees. Likewise, a defendant may not present frivolous defenses in response to a legitimate lawsuit. Frivolous defenses are punishable by the same sanctions as frivolous lawsuits.

Can a lawyer file for a criminal sanction against a plaintiff?

Therefore, a lawyer may file for sanctions against a plaintiff, defendant and any lawyer participating in prohibited behavior. Read More: Types of Legal Sanctions.