How to Write a Motion to a Judge

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013.

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Whenever you want a judge to do something in your court case, you need to file a “motion” with the court. This document outlines what you want the judge to do and explains why you are entitled to the action. [1] X Research source Motions are not complicated though they may be unfamiliar. To write a motion, you should begin by looking at sample motions to get an understanding of the format.

Be clear and concise so the motion feels persuasive and logical to a judge. Present the information in a sequential way and include details about your reasoning, supporting facts, and ideas for next steps.

Drafting Your Own Motion

• To file a motion for summary judgment, there must be no issues of material fact in dispute. If there is, then the case must go to trial so that the jury can decide the factual dispute. [2] X Research source
• An issue is “material” if it would make a difference in the lawsuit. For example, if you are suing because someone ran a red light and hit your car, then whether the light was red or green is an issue of material fact. [3] X Research source A non-material fact would be whether the car was colored red or green.
• You can bring the motion for summary judgment after you and the other party have finished swapping documents during the “discovery” phase of the lawsuit.

• You can get a sample motion from the court clerk or by looking in a CD or book of legal forms.
• You should also search on the Internet. For example, if you are filing a Motion to Dismiss in California, then type “California motion to dismiss” in your favorite search engine. By searching for the specific type of motion that you want to bring, you can also get tips on what to say in the motion.

• Based on your sample, check to see if you need to use special paper. Some courts require that you use numbered paper, which is called “pleading paper.” With this paper, each line is assigned a number in the left-hand column. [4] X Research source Other courts will simply request that you number your paragraphs.
• If you need to use numbered pleading paper, then you can purchase this paper from a stationery store. You may also be able to find pleading paper offered by a law library, such as the LA Law Library.

• You can find the caption on any prior motion or complaint filed in the court case. Take out your copy and find this information. Then plug it into your word processing document.

• Compel a witness to give a deposition. In this situation, title the motion, “Motion to Compel Witness Testimony.”
• Have the case dismissed. Title the motion “Motion to Dismiss.”
• Ask for more time. Title the motion “Motion for Continuance” or “Motion for Extension of Time.”

• For example, if you are asking for a continuance, then the opening paragraph might read: “COMES NOW the Defendant, Sherry Adams, in the above captioned case, and respectfully requests that the court continue the matter set for June 22, 2016.”

• For example, if you want the case dismissed, then you need to research the state’s “Rules of Civil Procedure” or “Rules of Criminal Procedure” and find the rule number which authorizes motions to dismiss. Type “Rules of Civil Procedure” and “your state” into your favorite web browser. Often, states publish their rules on the Internet.
• You can also visit your nearest law library. It should be either at the courthouse or at a nearby law school. Tell the librarian the motion you are bringing and what law you are researching.
• Check any sample motion to see what law is cited. If you have a sample Motion to Dismiss, then you might be able to cite the same legal rules and cases in the sample, if the sample is also a Motion to Dismiss for your state.
• You can also meet with a lawyer. Many lawyers will perform discrete tasks, such as legal research, for a flat fee.

• For example, if you need a continuance, then you should state the factual reasons why you need the continuance. Irrelevant information would be the difficulty you are having with the other side’s lawyer or general complaints about how busy your life is.
• You can state, “In support of this request, Defendant states the following….” Then list the facts that support your motion.

• If you need to include a social security number, then include only the last four digits: XXX-XX-9912.
• Also represent birthdates only by the year: xx-xx-1966.
• Should you need to identify minor children, then use initials: S.P. instead of Sandra Price.

• For example, you can state, “WHEREFORE, the plaintiff requests that the Court grant her request for a continuance.”

• Underneath the signature line, you should add your address and telephone number. Also put your email address if you have one.

• Use a separate piece of paper. At the top, insert the title “Certificate of Service.”
• Then explain how you made service. For example, you could state, “I, Sherry Adams, hereby certify that a copy of the above ‘Motion for Continuance’ was served on counsel for Plaintiff by first class mail, postage prepaid at 100 Main Street USA, Big City, KY 00000 on June 12, 2016.” [9] X Research source
• Before typing up a certificate of service, you should first find out how you can serve a copy of the motion. You should call up the court clerk and ask.

• Insert the caption. Use the same caption information as you did for the motion.
• Title the document “Order.” Make the title bold and in all caps.
• Type the substance of the order: “Now on this [insert date of your hearing] this matter comes on for hearing on Defendant’s pro se Motion for Continuance. After being duly and fully advised and hearing the position of the Plaintiff, the Court finds that….” Insert two options with a check box beside each: “The motion is denied” or “The Motion is granted and the hearing is rescheduled for [insert blank line].”
• Add “IT IS SO ORDERED” and put a signature line under the words. Under the signature line, type the judge’s name, such as “Mable Jones, District Judge.”

• For more information, see Write an Affidavit.

Using a Court Form

• You can stop into the clerk’s office and ask. Also, you can check the court’s website. Often, court forms are hosted on the state supreme court’s website.

• Take out another motion or court document filed in your case and copy the caption information from that document. The caption should be the same throughout the entire case.

• The applicable law. Find out what law authorizes the court to do what you want it to do. If you are representing yourself, then you generally will be given some leeway in this area. However, you should stop into a law library and ask to see the law that authorizes the motion.
• What you are asking the judge to do. For example, you may be requesting a continuance so that you can prepare for an upcoming trial. You should make that request in the appropriate space on the motion form.

• Some forms can be filled in as a PDF on your computer. You can then save the motion form and print it off.

• Some motion forms might need to be notarized. The form should state whether it needs to be notarized.
• Usually, there is a notary in the courthouse you can use. If not, then visit the locator page at the website for the American Society of Notaries. [14] X Trustworthy Source American Society of Notaries Non-profit organization providing education, training, and supplies to notaries in the United States. Go to source Enter your address and find the nearest notary.

Filing the Motion

• Be sure that the copies are clear and legible. The other party needs to be able to read your motion in order to respond to it.

• You may have to pay a filing fee, depending on the motion and the court. Ask the court clerk.
• If you can’t afford the fee, then ask for a fee waiver form and fill it out.

• However, some courts might not schedule hearings until later. The clerk will then notify all parties of the day and time for the hearing. You should ask the court clerk what process they use at the courthouse.
• Not every motion will require a hearing. It is up to the judge to decide whether a hearing is necessary. When no hearing is required, the judge will decide the motion based on the documents submitted. [16] X Research source

• Always keep a copy of the motion for your records.

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1. ↑http://www.kywd.uscourts.gov/sites/kywd/files/court_docs/Instructions_for_Filing_a_Motion.pdf
2. ↑https://www.findlaw.com/litigation/going-to-court/what-is-a-motion.html
3. ↑https://www.findlaw.com/litigation/going-to-court/what-is-a-motion.html
4. ↑http://saclaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/form-fillable-pleading-paper.pdf
5. ↑http://www.kywd.uscourts.gov/sites/kywd/files/court_docs/Instructions_for_Filing_a_Motion.pdf
6. ↑http://www.kywd.uscourts.gov/sites/kywd/files/court_docs/Instructions_for_Filing_a_Motion.pdf
7. ↑http://www.kywd.uscourts.gov/sites/kywd/files/court_docs/Instructions_for_Filing_a_Motion.pdf
8. ↑http://www.kywd.uscourts.gov/sites/kywd/files/court_docs/Instructions_for_Filing_a_Motion.pdf
9. ↑http://www.kywd.uscourts.gov/sites/kywd/files/court_docs/Instructions_for_Filing_a_Motion.pdf

1. ↑https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/renderForm1.cfm?Form=365
2. ↑https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/renderForm1.cfm?Form=365
3. ↑https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/renderForm1.cfm?Form=365
4. ↑https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/renderForm1.cfm?Form=365
5. ↑https://www.asnnotary.org/?form=locator
6. ↑http://www.kywd.uscourts.gov/sites/kywd/files/court_docs/Instructions_for_Filing_a_Motion.pdf
7. ↑https://www.findlaw.com/litigation/going-to-court/what-is-a-motion.html
8. ↑http://www.kywd.uscourts.gov/sites/kywd/files/court_docs/Instructions_for_Filing_a_Motion.pdf

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 91,990 times.

Whenever you want a judge to do something in your case, you’ll need to file a motion with the court. You should be able to get a sample motion from your court clerk or from the internet to help you. Many courts also have fill-in-the-blank forms to make writing your motion easier. You’ll need to write your caption at the top, which includes the name of the court, the parties, and case number. Title your motion according to your request, such as “Motion to Compel Witness Testimony.” If you’re writing your own motion, introduce yourself in the first paragraph. Then, reference the law or rule that allows the judge to grant your motion in the second paragraph. You should also include supporting facts to show why you need the motion passed. Conclude by repeating your request for the judge to grant your motion. For more tips from our Legal co-author, including how to file your motion with the court, read on!

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