Rule 47 Motions

If you want a judge to do something in your case, like change a court date or ask for evidence to be thrown out, you have to formally ask for it through a motion. You can't just bring it up casually. This rule explains the basic steps for making that kind of request.

Most of the time, you need to put your motion in writing. The only exception is if you're already in the middle of a trial or hearing, or if the judge says it's okay to ask a different way. Your written motion has to clearly explain two things: why you're asking (the reasons or legal grounds) and what you want the judge to do about it. You can also attach a sworn statement, called an affidavit, to back up what you're saying.

Finally, if the judge grants your request, the written order approving it has to be its own separate document. It can't just be written on the same piece of paper as your original motion. This keeps court records clear and organized, so it's easy to see what was asked for and what the judge actually decided.