What is the term for a request that the court order a rehearing due to irregularities such as errors or jury misconduct?

• A. Motion for a new trial
• B. Appellate brief
• C. Remand
• D. Insanity defense

Answer: (A)

A motion for a new trial is a request to have the case reheard in the trial court due to errors or jury misconduct. After a verdict, a party file this motion arguing that mistakes in rulings on evidence or jury instructions, improper conduct by jurors, or newly discovered evidence affected the fairness of the trial. If the court grants the motion, a new trial is ordered. If it denies it, the party can pursue an appeal. This differs from an appellate brief, which is filed to argue the case to a higher court rather than to request a redo of the trial itself, and from remand, which means sending the case back to the trial court for further proceedings. The insanity defense is unrelated, serving as a defense to criminal liability rather than a request to re-run the trial.