A procedural event held before a trial, involving arguments presented to a judge or panel of judges regarding specific requests. These requests, formally known as motions, seek a particular ruling or order from the court. For example, a party might file a request to suppress evidence, compel the production of documents, or dismiss a case due to legal deficiencies.
These events are essential for streamlining trials, resolving preliminary legal issues, and ensuring fairness in legal proceedings. They can significantly impact the trajectory of a case, potentially leading to dismissal, settlement, or altering the evidence presented at trial. Historically, these pre-trial proceedings evolved to address issues more efficiently than during the trial itself.
