How Long Does a Judge Have to Answer a Motion | Detailed Guide

A motion, in legal terms, is a written or spoken request filed to the judge or court for any relaxation within the case or ruling orders. A plaintiff can file more than one motion throughout his case after filing the initial complaint. A judge should reply to the motion as it’s the right of the plaintiff. If someone has never faced any legal issue before, he’ll be conscious about learning “how long does a judge have to answer a motion.” 

To clear his mind, one should try to dig the law market to understand the acceptable duration for the response of any motion. To understand this issue properly, one must dig into the law market deeply. That’s not an easy task. Digging the market thoroughly needs a great effort and a lot of time. 

We’ve proposed a precise guide with all the facts and figures about the motion to prevent your struggle and save your precious time. So, let’s move down to explore all about the query under discussion. 

How Long Does a Judge Have to Answer a Motion

After filing the motion, its response or answer should be delivered within a maximum of ten days. However, the court may extend or shorten the time of the reply for any motion. If you’ve filed a motion as per the rules of the relevant court, you will see action within ((just 10 days)). 

After you reply from the court or judge for your motion, give a proper response within ((7 functional days)). Try to write a short and to the point response to the legal reply of a motion. 

How to File a Motion?

Writing a motion or request to the court is an effective way to resolve any problem via court. Such requests will be beneficial to solve the ((pre-trial issues)). However, any motion will be effective only if you file it properly. Here is a brief procedure to write a motion to the judge or the court. 

Write a Statement

To file a motion, you will have to write a statement. Write down the motion and include all the essential things you want to share with your relevant judge. 

Handover the Motion to the Clerk

After you’ve written and proofread the motion, pass it to the court clerk. He’ll process it according to the legal orders. He’ll edit it and add the date and time of your filing. Also, he’ll give you the accurate date and time when the judge will hear the motion. 

Serve the Motion

After issuing the date and time of the motion trial, mail or serve your motion statement to the opposition party.

Write a Response to the motion

Along with your motion, you should also write a response to it. This response will support your motion. 

Approval of the Judge

After fulfilling all the requirements, your motion will be delivered to the judge. He’ll decide whether to approve or deny it. 

Re-file the Court Orders

When the judge approves or denies the motion, hand it over to the court clerk. He’ll again make some amendments according to rules. 

Send the Copies to the Other Parties

When the result of your motion is out, please send copies of its approval or rejection to all parties involved in the filed case. It’s the last and vital step as it will keep the opposition party tuned for further proceedings. Moreover, it’s necessary for a smooth proceeding of the case. 

How to Make a Motion Effective?

Here are some points that will make your motion effective. 

State to the Point

Keep in mind that the more your motion will be straightforward, the more effective it will be. So, try to write what you exactly want to say. This strategy is regarded as a ‘memorandum of points and authorities. Using this strategy, relate all your letters with the main idea. All your ideas should support the main idea. 

Learn More: How To Ask A Lawyer For Help

Mention Clearly What You Want to Question

Any motion in a court or to the judge has a basic purpose. The same will be with your motion. You’ll be writing to your judge for any particular decision or desire of decision. The motif of the motion should be mentioned within the statement. 

Attach Authentic Evidence

Supporting your motion with authentic evidence will make it more reliable and appealing. So, try to attach copies of essential evidence and supporting arguments with your motion. 

The evidence can be in pictures, copies of any contract, emails or messages, or any other kind of supporting material. 

Verify the Motion

After you’ve proposed an authentic motion, verify it by signing it. Your verification is necessary for the approval of the motion. So, never forget to sign it. 

Proofread the Motion Statement

After you’ve completed all the essential requirements to make your motion effective, never forget its proofreading. Sometimes, you may make a mistake in a hurry. But proofreading will omit such errors. 

Types of Motion in Law Field

Here are different types of legal motions in the law field. 

Motion to Dismiss 

One of the basic types of motion in law is the motion to dismiss the case or will. The purpose of this type of motion is to request relief from a particular case by dismissing it. If a plaintiff fails to meet the requirements of the trials, the other party may claim a motion of dismissal. 

Duplicate Motion

Duplicate Motion is a type of motion that merges the claims, allegations, or situations of two types in one another. Also, such an allegation that essentially includes any other is called a multiplicity motion. In other words, in such motions, the two different situations are inevitable for one another. 

Motion for Summary Judgment

After the provision of authentic evidence, any party may claim a motion in court. Such a motion is regarded as a motion for summary judgment that claims that the court should judge the case based on the available evidence. Motion for summary judgment states, that the court should decide whether the available evidence supports the case or not. 

“In Limine” Motion

Such a motion asks the court whether certain types of evidence can be presented in the court or not. Also, the In Limine motion questions the jury or case under the trial. 

Motion for Directed Verdict

As evident from the name, this type of motion claims that the plaintiff or lawyer has failed to prove the case in court. So, the court should not keep such cases anymore, and any evidence for such a case should not be accepted. 

Motion for NOV Judgment

This type of motion claims that the jury can’t reach a reasonable verdict or final decision, so the case should not be processed anymore. 

Motion of Trial

This type of motion is claimed by a party that is not satisfied with the case proceedings. That particular party may claim to start a new trial for that particular case. 

Motion for “Nolle Prosequi”

The Nolle Prosequi is a Latin phrase that means not willing to prosecute. Such a motion claims that the plaintiff or lawyer is no more interested in the case, and he wants to drop the case. 

Learn More: How Long Does It Take For A Lawyer To Review A Case

Motion to Compel

The purpose of such a motion is to compel any of the opposition party or any other person to take some action for the will’s proceedings. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a motion in legal terms?

A motion is a written or spoken request to the court or the relevant judge for a proper decision of a particular case. This motion can be oral or written. Also, the motion will be helpful in a remarkable decision of the case. 

How many types of legal motions are there?

Here are the three major types of limine motions. 

• Inclusionary motion
• Exclusionary motion
• Preclusionary motion

How long does a judge have to answer a motion?

A judge should reply to the motion within three days after filing the motion in court. However, the court may increase or decrease the time of motion’s reply accordingly. 

What happens at a motion hearing?

Such a hearing is held in the judge’s presence, requested in the form of a motion. In a motion hearing, the judge will examine the filed motion. After reviewing the motion, he’ll decide whether a motion will be accepted or not. 

How many days do you have to oppose a motion?

If you want to reply to any motion, you should respond within 15 days after the decision of the motion. 

Conclusion

The motion in legal processing is a beneficial method to claim any beneficial proceeding for a particular case. One may file a motion in the court or to the relevant judge. The judge must reply to the motion of the plaintiffs. There is a proper procedure, as mentioned above, that will make your motion effective. So, move appropriately to file an authentic motion. Also, know the different types of motions to file an effective motion in the court.