What is the burden of proof motion to compel?
Asked by: Madie Keeling | Last update: October 16, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (34 votes)
For examples of motions filed in federal court, filter this Federal Dockets Search. Generally, the proponent of a motion to compel discovery bears the initial burden of proving that the information sought is relevant.
What is the burden of proof in a motion?
The burden of proof determines which party is responsible for putting forth evidence and the level of evidence they must provide in order to prevail. In most cases, the plaintiff (the party bringing the claim) has the burden of proof. As an initial matter, they must meet the burden of production.
What does motion to compel mean?
A motion to compel asks the court to order either the opposing party or a third party to take some action. This sort of motion most commonly deals with discovery disputes, when a party who has propounded discovery to either the opposing party or a third party believes that the discovery responses are insufficient.
What is the standard for a motion to compel?
California Rules of Court, rule 3.1345(c) requires that the separate statement in support of a motion to compel further responses provide “all the information necessary to understand each discovery request and all the responses to it that are at issue.” It must also “be full and complete so that no person is required ...
What happens if a motion to compel is denied?
Rule 37(a)(5)(B) provides that, if a court denies a motion to compel, the court “must, after giving an opportunity to be heard, require the movant, the attorney filing the motion, or Case 2:15-cv-00850-KRS-GBW Document 68 Filed 01/27/17 Page 3 of 4 Page 4 4 both to pay the party or deponent who opposed the motion its ...
The truth about Motions to Compel
Is a motion to compel bad?
Motions to compel are often necessary to set the tone in your case and acquire the documents and information you need to win your case. Grounds: When a party who has propounded discovery believes the responses are inadequate, the propounding party may move for a motion to compel a further response.
How do you win a motion to compel?
- Act in good Faith.
- Thorough Knowledge of the Case.
- Limit citing voluminous authorities.
- Avoid Personal Attacks.
What consequences can result from a refusal to cooperate with an order compelling discovery?
(b) Failure to Comply with a Court Order. (1) Sanctions Sought in the District Where the Deposition Is Taken. If the court where the discovery is taken orders a deponent to be sworn or to answer a question and the deponent fails to obey, the failure may be treated as contempt of court.
Can you object to a motion to compel?
The answering or objecting party may file a response to the motion to compel. The response must contain adequate justification for that party's objections, or argument showing why the party's answers to the discovery requests at issue were sufficient.
Does a motion to compel require a separate statement?
All discovery motions should include a notice of motion and motion. In addition, motions to compel further responses must include a separate statement and meet and confer declaration.
What happens after a motion to compel has been filed?
A motion to compel discovery is a request to the judge to order the prosecution to hand over evidence. If the court grants the motion, the judge will order that the appropriate materials be released on a plan of sanctions such as fines, suppression of evidence, and even a dismissal of the charges.
How long does a motion to compel take?
It depends if there was a hearing or not on your motion to compel. If there was not a hearing, you can expect an order on the motion generally within 30 days, depending on how busy the judge's desk is.
How do you oppose a motion to compel?
If the other attorney or party opposes your motion, you may choose to serve and file a reply to the opposition at least five court days prior to the motion. CCP § 1005. It must be served by overnight mail to reach the opposing party no more than one day after it is filed.
What is the hardest thing to prove in court?
Of those four components, causation is often the hardest element to prove in court.
What are the three burdens of proof?
Depending on the jurisdiction and type of action , the legal standard to satisfy the burden of proof in U.S. litigation may include, but is not limited to: beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal law. clear and convincing evidence in fraud in will disputes. preponderance of the evidence in most civil cases.
Who bears the burden of proof?
In a criminal trial, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. The prosecution must convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of the charges brought against them.
What happens if someone ignores a motion to compel?
If a party or party's officer, director, or managing agent fails to obey a discovery order, the court may issue further orders. A court must also order a disobedient party, the advising attorney, or both to pay expenses resulting from the failure to reply.
What is a motion to compel for dummies?
A motion to compel is a legal request made by one party to enforce the production of relevant information or evidence during the discovery process of a case. If one party fails or refuses to respond to discovery requests, the opposing party may file a motion to compel to seek court intervention and ensure compliance.
What is the difference between a motion to compel and a subpoena?
In other words, the issuing party must file a motion to compel with the court in order to shift the burden of compliance back to you. If the court grants the motion, you must comply with the subpoena; however, it is possible that the court may only compel compliance with part of the subpoena.
What happens if someone doesn't respond to discovery?
If the other person does not respond, or their response is still incomplete, you can ask the court to order them to respond. You have 45 days from the service of the most recent responses to ask the court to make an order requiring an answer. If the response was served by mail, 5 extra days are added.
What five unethical practices are involved in the discovery process?
- It's unethical to stop a party from obtaining evidence.
- To destroy evidence.
- Falsify evidence.
- Make an unwarranted discovery request.
- To request more information than is necessary for the case.
What are reasons to object to discovery requests?
- The request is overly broad or unduly burdensome. ...
- The request is vague, ambiguous, or unintelligible. ...
- The request is not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of relevant, admissible evidence.
What is a good faith letter for discovery?
This letter is often called a good faith letter. And it is needed under many courts' rules before you can file a motion to compel discovery if the other party ignores your requests or provides evasive responses or move for sanctions if your opponent refuses to comply with the court's discovery order.
How to counter a motion?
If one party to a case has filed a motion with the court, the other side can file an “opposition.” An “opposition” is a written statement explaining to the judge why the other side is not entitled to whatever he is asking for in his motion. It is your opportunity to oppose the other side's request.
How long do you have to file a motion to compel in federal court?
The federal rules do not contain any time limit in which a motion to compel discovery must be filed. But you should check your court's local rules and even the judge's standing order. For instance, in the Northern District of California you must move to compel within seven days of the close of discovery.