Why would a judge deny a motion to compel?
Asked by: Dr. Lenore Marks | Last update: November 25, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (38 votes)
Your attorney must either accept this decision or appeal it and continue pursuing the material through other legal channels. A judge might deny a motion to compel for several reasons, including: The requested information was not essential to the case. The opposing party already produced the requested material.
Is a motion to compel good or 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. (Code Civ.
What are the requirements for a motion to compel?
The notice of any motion to compel must state the following: 1) when and where the hearing will take place; 2) the grounds for the motion, including the specific discovery sought, the statutory authority, and reasons the response is deficient; and 3) the supporting papers (which must also be filed with the motion).
Can a judge refuse to hear a motion?
The judge, as the central figure, listens to the arguments, asks questions, and ultimately decides whether to grant or deny the motion.
How to win a motion to compel?
- Act in good Faith.
- Thorough Knowledge of the Case.
- Limit citing voluminous authorities.
- Avoid Personal Attacks.
The truth about Motions to Compel
Why would a motion to compel be denied?
A judge might deny a motion to compel for several reasons, including: The requested information was not essential to the case. The opposing party already produced the requested material. The motion did not specifically name what materials were being sought.
What must you say to make a motion?
To make a motion, you must first be recognized and given the floor by the meeting chairperson or presiding officer. Once you have the floor, state the motion as “I move (state your motion here).”
Why would a judge decline a motion?
If you fail to support your motion with a memorandum of points and authorities, the court could deny the motion because you have implicitly admitted there is no basis for it.
What happens if a motion is denied?
The court will then decide as to whether the motion is granted or denied. If the motion is granted, it means that the document or proceeding in question is declared invalid or void. If the motion is denied, the document or proceeding remains in effect, and the case or legal process will continue.
Do judges read motions before court?
If you are referring to motions on legal issues the judge will review them in the course of the hearing or trial. If you are referring to documents to be submitted as evidence the judge may rule on their relevance and/or admissibility prior to going forward .
What happens if someone doesn't respond to a motion to compel?
Courts enforce their orders by imposing sanctions on a party who fails to comply. Sanctions can be monetary, such as requiring one party to pay the other parties attorneys' fees and/or imposing a monetary fine, or they can hamper a party's ability to put on their case.
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 burden of proof motion to compel?
Generally, the proponent of a motion to compel discovery bears the initial burden of proving that the information sought is relevant.
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 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.
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 is the success rate of motions to reconsider?
This is roughly a 5 percent success rate for all motions. Of the requests related to the initial institution decision, only 3.5 percent (six of 169) have been successful.
Can a judge ignore a motion to dismiss?
A motion to dismiss might be delayed if there is a question as to whether or not the party with the burden of proof can make a prima facie showing of their case. If it is a close call from the pleadings a judge may allow the plaintiff the opportunity to make that case (or not) before ruling.
How long does a judge have to respond to a motion?
Sometimes, the Judge makes a decision right away. If not, the Judge has 60 days by law to decide the motion.
What happens after a motion to compel is filed?
Opposing counsel may but does not have to respond to the motion to compel. The court at the hearing will then enter an order on the motion to compel and will likely issue sanctions against the other party.
What affects a judge's decision?
Judicial decision-making, while structured around legal principles and evidence, is also subtly shaped by the psychological makeup of the judges themselves. Cognitive biases, personal beliefs, and even a judge's own life experiences can inadvertently affect their interpretation of the law and evidence.
Under what circumstances will a judge grant a motion?
How do I get the judge to grant my motion? A judge will make his/her decision on a motion based on the law that applies, the facts of the situation, and the arguments made by the parties for, and against, the motion.
What puts everything in motion?
Everything needs a push or pull, a force, to make it move or stop. Motion requires force, because as we say in the song, Inertia is a property of matter. Inertia is the tendency for any moving object to keep moving and any object at rest to remain at rest.
How do you argue a motion?
- Understand Judicial Attention Spans:
- Be Certain Your Brief and Arguments Tell the Story. ...
- Employ Innocence by Association. ...
- Avoid “Red Flag” Clues for the Judicial Reader. ...
- Avoid Ad Hominem Attacks and Language. ...
- Argue to Win. ...
- Never Squander Credibility.
What are the basic rules of motion?
In the first law, an object will not change its motion unless a force acts on it. In the second law, the force on an object is equal to its mass times its acceleration. In the third law, when two objects interact, they apply forces to each other of equal magnitude and opposite direction.