Motion For A New Trial Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Motion For A New Trial, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Motion For A New Trial?

History and Meaning of Motion For A New Trial

A Motion For A New Trial is a legal procedure that has its roots in English common law. It is a formal request made to a judge after a verdict has been rendered, in which the requesting party requests the court to order a new trial for the case. The purpose of the motion is to give the losing party a second chance to challenge the original verdict. The motion can be filed on the grounds of various reasons such as the discovery of new evidence or legal errors.

The main purpose of a Motion For A New Trial is to rectify legal flaws that have occurred during the initial trial. These legal flaws include inadequate legal representation, misconduct of the jury, the inclusion of inadmissible evidence, and errors in the application of law. A new trial is granted as long as legal errors or irregularities during the trial substantially prejudiced the rights of the party filing the motion.

Examples of Motion For A New Trial

1. A defendant was convicted of murder in a criminal trial. The defendant's attorney files a Motion For A New Trial, arguing that new DNA evidence was discovered that was not available during the original trial. The judge agrees to hold a new trial to consider this new evidence.
2. A plaintiff loses a civil trial, and their attorney files a Motion For A New Trial, claiming that the defendant's attorney engaged in misconduct by making prejudicial statements during the trial. The judge agrees that the defendant's attorney's statements were inappropriate and orders a new trial.
3. A defendant is found guilty of assault in a criminal trial. The defendant's attorney files a Motion For A New Trial, arguing that the jury was unduly influenced by outside factors like media coverage or public opinion. The judge denies the motion since the defense attorney failed to show that the outside factors had any substantial influence on the jury's decision.

Legal Terms Similar to Motion For A New Trial

1. Appeal - An appeal is a request made to a higher court for the case to be reviewed again, usually for errors in the application of the law.
2. Post-Conviction Relief - A post-conviction relief is a legal process available after a trial has concluded, which allows the convicted defendant to challenge their conviction or sentence.
3. Reconsideration - Reconsideration is a request made to a judge to reconsider a ruling or decision rendered by the court.