78 Motion days; submission of motions

Courts need a set schedule for handling motions, which are requests one side makes to the judge during a case. Each circuit and district court must set up regular "motion days" on their calendar. These days are required by law, and the court has to send a copy of its schedule to the Supreme Court so everyone knows when motions will be heard.

Courts also have another option to move cases along faster. Instead of holding a hearing where lawyers show up and argue in person, the court can decide to handle a motion just by reading written statements from both sides. Each side writes down their reasons for or against the motion, and the judge makes a decision based on those papers alone.

For people involved in a case, this means you should check your local court's rules to find out which days are set aside for motions. It also means you might not always get an in-person hearing. The judge could decide your motion just by reading what you and the other side wrote, without anyone stepping into a courtroom.