What does it mean when a case is set aside?

Asked by: Neva Boyer  |  Last update: November 7, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (28 votes)

A criminal conviction set-aside is an order by the judge who sentenced you in a criminal case which voids the conviction. It does not remove the conviction from your criminal record, it does offset it by adding the Order Setting Aside the conviction and a notation to the file.

What does "set aside" mean in a court case?

In a few situations, a judge can cancel or undo an order or judgment in your family law case. This is called a set-aside.

What happens when a decision is set aside?

When a court renders a decision of another court to be invalid , that verdict or decision is set aside; see also annul or vacate . The phrase is often used in the context of appeals , when an appellate court invalidates the judgment of a lower court. For example, in Eckenrode v.

What happens after a judgement is set aside?

If the judge grants your motion and sets aside the default judgment, any money taken from you should be returned (unless the judge orders something different). The case is not over though. Once the judgment is set aside, the case starts up again.

What does it mean when a charge is set aside?

A set-aside is sometimes called expungement or expunction. It means that the court record of a criminal or contempt case is sealed by the court and will not appear in official court records. You should be aware that set-aside cases can be unsealed in certain limited circumstances.

What happens after a judgment is set aside?

21 related questions found

Is set aside the same as expungement?

[6] Expungement and sealing laws restrict access to criminal records and sometimes even provide for their destruction. [7] Set-aside laws authorize a court to “vacate” a conviction in order to signal a person's rehabilitation, relief that may or may not be followed by sealing the record.

What does it mean for a transaction to be set aside?

In an insolvency context, it refers to an administrator, liquidator or trustee in bankruptcy challenging a transaction entered into by an insolvent entity prior to any formal insolvency process, to reclaim assets for creditors.

Can a judge set aside a guilty verdict?

Once a jury reaches a decision, the judge can still set aside the verdict. Attorneys can move for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) if they believe the other side has failed to prove their case.

How to prove you were not served properly?

Surveillance: You can provide surveillance footage showing you were not served at the alleged date or that the service was improper. Mail Records: If there's no mail delivered to you or if you haven't signed the receipt. It can indicate improper service.

How long can a Judgement be held against you?

The length of time the judgment is enforceable varies depending on the state you live in. In some states, it's as short as five years, and in other states, it's as long as 20 years. Judgments can also often be renewed. If you can't afford to pay a judgment against you, filing bankruptcy can help eliminate the judgment.

What is an example with set aside?

He had some money in an account that he'd set aside for his kids. [ + to infinitive ] I set aside half an hour every evening to hear Erik read. I set aside some of the soup for Jim to have later. We set aside a few dollars a month to buy furniture.

What does order of set aside mean?

A Set Aside essentially means that you've created such a defense for yourself that the DMV has exonerated you of whatever the allegation was, but your driving privilege is reinstated fully, and any mention of a driving suspension is removed from the record.

What is the right to set aside?

Where an order has been made by the court of its own initiative, or without a hearing, the parties are entitled to apply to the court to have that order set aside or varied. '

What does it mean if a decision is set aside?

If the Court grants your application, the original decision and any penalties imposed by the Court are set aside. The charge will be dealt with as if it was a new one and you will have the opportunity to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty to the charge.

What happens in an aside?

An aside in a play is a few lines of inner thoughts a character shares with an audience. Asides happen on stage when other characters are present, but those characters are not aware of the aside taking place.

What happens if someone lies about being served?

If you are being served with legal papers, it is not against the law for you to lie to the process server. However, if the court finds out that you lied, there may be consequences. The court may deem that you are in contempt of court and may impose sanctions against you.

What happens if the wrong person gets served?

Serving the Wrong Person

If legal documentation is served to the wrong person, it's grounds for the opposing counsel to contest the service entirely and force the legal team to restart the case. In some instances, you may even forfeit prior judgements that ruled in your favor.

Can you be sued if you aren't served papers?

However, they must prove that the process server served you with the notice of claim and has a valid claim against you. In some situations where the process server truly failed to serve you the court papers properly, the court cannot pass a judgment against you because it has no personal jurisdiction over you.

Who can override a judge's decision?

The court of appeals may review the factual findings made by the trial court or agency, but generally may overturn a decision on factual grounds only if the findings were “clearly erroneous.”

Can a judge use your past against you?

The presentation of character evidence is often forbidden by California's evidentiary laws. This means that the prosecution cannot use evidence of wrongdoings you have previously committed (whether or not they were crimes) to show that you committed the alleged crime.

What is a motion to set aside verdict?

In law, a motion to set aside judgment is an application to overturn or set aside a court's judgment, verdict or other final ruling in a case. Such a motion is proposed by a party who is dissatisfied with the result of a case.

What does "set aside" mean legally?

1. : to disagree with and overturn (a decision or act of a lower tribunal) upon review : overrule, vacate. set aside the decree. 2. : to deprive of legal effect or force : annul, void.

What is an example of set aside?

to save something, usually money or time, for a special purpose: He had some money in an account that he'd set aside for his kids. [ + to infinitive ] I set aside half an hour every evening to hear Erik read. I set aside some of the soup for Jim to have later.

What does it mean to set aside plea?

A judge must set aside a guilty plea if the circumstances suggest that the defendant is innocent or did not understand the consequences of the guilty plea. This is true regardless of whether the defendant asks to withdraw the plea.