A motion for judgment as a matter of law (JMOL) is a request made by a party in a lawsuit asking the judge to rule in their favor without submitting the case to the jury. This motion is typically filed after the presentation of all evidence and arguments in a trial. The court will consider the evidence presented and will grant the motion if it finds that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The party filing the motion must prove that there is no reasonable basis for the jury to find in favor of the opposing party. The court’s decision on a motion for JMOL is subject to review by an appellate court.
Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law (JMOL) Structure
A motion for judgment as a matter of law (JMOL) is a request to the court to dismiss a case because there is no genuine issue of material fact for the jury to decide. If granted, the court will enter judgment in favor of the moving party without submitting the case to the jury.
Elements of a JMOL
A motion for JMOL must meet the following elements:
- Timely Filing: Must be filed within 10 days of the close of the evidence.
- No Genuine Issue of Material Fact: The moving party must show that there is no genuine dispute over any material fact that would allow a reasonable jury to find in favor of the non-moving party.
- Proper Basis: The motion must be based on one of the following grounds:
- Failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted
- Failure to prove an essential element of the claim
- Lack of evidence to support the claim
- Renewal of Motion for Directed Verdict: If the moving party previously moved for a directed verdict and the court denied the motion, the moving party must renew the motion for JMOL.
Structure of a JMOL
A JMOL should be structured as follows:
- Introduction:
- State the name of the case and the court.
- Briefly summarize the procedural history of the case.
- Statement of Facts:
- State the material facts that are not in dispute.
- Cite to the evidence that supports the undisputed facts.
- Legal Argument:
- Identify the legal standard for JMOL.
- Explain how the undisputed facts fail to meet the legal standard.
- Cite to case law and other authorities to support the argument.
- Conclusion:
- Restate the motion and the reasons for granting it.
- Request the court to enter judgment in favor of the moving party.
Helpful Tips
- Be clear and concise. The court should be able to easily understand the arguments being made.
- Use specific facts and evidence. Do not make general or conclusory statements.
- Cite to authority. Support the arguments with relevant case law and other authorities.
- Be prepared to present the motion orally. The court may request oral argument before ruling on the motion.
Question 1:
What is a motion for judgment as a matter of law?
Answer:
A motion for judgment as a matter of law (JMOL) is a request made by a party in a lawsuit to the judge to enter a judgment in its favor despite the verdict rendered by the jury. It is based on the argument that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
Question 2:
When is a motion for JMOL typically filed?
Answer:
A motion for JMOL is typically filed after a jury verdict has been rendered but before the judgment has been entered. It can be filed by either the plaintiff or the defendant.
Question 3:
What are the grounds for a motion for JMOL?
Answer:
The grounds for a motion for JMOL include:
- The evidence presented at trial is insufficient to support the jury’s verdict.
- The jury’s verdict is contrary to the law.
- The moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law based on undisputed facts.
Alright folks, that’s all we got for now on the motion for judgment as a matter of law. I know it’s a bit of a head-scratcher, but if you’ve ever wondered why a judge might end a trial early and declare a winner without any jury deliberation, this should shed some light. Thanks for sticking with me through all the legal jargon. If you’ve got any more questions about this or any other legal matters, be sure to check back. I’ll be here, ready to dive into the next legal adventure. Take care!