What is a motion?

A motion is an informal request to the court asking for a decision or an order in a legal case. It can be made both before and after the official court proceedings have begun. In Virginia, motions are typically filed by one of the parties involved in a case, such as a plaintiff or defendant. The person filing the motion must provide the court with specific legal reasons for the request and must show that the decision is supported by law. For example, a motion to dismiss could be filed if the plaintiff has failed to prove that the defendant has broken the law. The motion would argue that the plaintiff’s case should be dismissed because the facts are not strong enough to support a legal case against the defendant. Another example might be a motion for summary judgment, which asks the court to decide the case without a full trial because the facts of the case are not in dispute and the court should make a decision based on the law. In Virginia, motions can also be used as a way to introduce additional evidence into a case. Generally, motions must be filed with the court prior to the actual trial or hearing in order to be considered valid. The motion will then be reviewed by the court and the other involved parties, and a decision will be made.

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