Post-trial motions in civil cases

Definition

Post-trial motions in civil cases are formal requests made to a court after a trial has concluded, seeking to alter or reconsider the trial's outcome. These motions can address various issues such as requesting a new trial, altering or amending the judgment, or seeking judgment as a matter of law. They are critical for ensuring that any errors or injustices from the trial can be rectified before an appeal is pursued.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Post-trial motions must typically be filed within a specific time frame after the final judgment, usually 28 days.
2. These motions are crucial for preserving issues for appeal; if not raised in post-trial motions, they may be waived.
3. Judges have significant discretion when ruling on post-trial motions, which can result in varied outcomes depending on the circumstances.
4. A successful motion for a new trial may lead to a completely different trial where all issues are re-examined.
5. Parties can often appeal a decision on post-trial motions, adding another layer to the legal process following a trial.

Review Questions

• What are some common grounds for filing post-trial motions in civil cases?
  • Common grounds for filing post-trial motions include claims of juror misconduct, improper admission or exclusion of evidence, and errors in jury instructions. These issues can significantly impact the trial's fairness and outcome. If a party believes that such errors occurred, they can request remedies through post-trial motions to ensure justice is served.
• How do post-trial motions impact the appellate process in civil cases?
  • Post-trial motions play a vital role in the appellate process by allowing parties to address potential errors before proceeding to appeal. By raising specific issues in these motions, parties can preserve them for appellate review. If a party fails to file a post-trial motion, they may lose their right to challenge those issues on appeal, making these motions an essential step in the legal strategy following a trial.
• Evaluate the significance of remittitur as it relates to post-trial motions and its implications on jury awards.
  • Remittitur is significant in the context of post-trial motions because it allows judges to intervene when jury awards are deemed excessive or unsupported by evidence. By reducing the amount awarded, remittitur helps ensure that jury awards align with legal standards and are based on reasonable interpretations of damages. This process not only protects defendants from unjust financial burdens but also maintains the integrity of jury decisions and helps avoid protracted appeals over excessive damages.

Related terms

Motion for a New Trial: A request made by a party to the court asking for a new trial due to errors during the original trial that affected the verdict.

Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV): A motion asking the court to reverse the jury's verdict on the grounds that no reasonable jury could have reached that conclusion based on the evidence presented.

Remittitur: A judicial ruling reducing the amount of damages awarded by a jury if the judge finds it to be excessive or unsupported by evidence.