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Criminal Defense

Motion for New Trial

Drafting a motion for new trial requires exhaustive review of trial transcripts, identification of legal errors, research of applicable case law, and careful articulation of grounds that meet strict procedural standards. This post-conviction work is time-sensitive and demands precision, yet manually preparing these motions can consume 6-8 hours of billable time while clients await critical decisions on their cases.

Automation ROI

Time savings at a glance

Manual workflow6.5 hoursAverage time your team spends by hand
With CaseMark12 minutesDelivery time with CaseMark automation
EfficiencySave 32.5x time with CaseMark

The Problem

Drafting a motion for new trial requires exhaustive review of trial transcripts, identification of legal errors, research of applicable case law, and careful articulation of grounds that meet strict procedural standards. This post-conviction work is time-sensitive and demands precision, yet manually preparing these motions can consume 6-8 hours of billable time while clients await critical decisions on their cases.

The CaseMark Solution

CaseMark automates motion for new trial drafting by analyzing trial records, identifying viable grounds, and generating comprehensive, court-ready motions in minutes. Our AI ensures all required sections are included, grounds are properly articulated with supporting legal arguments, and formatting meets court standards—reducing preparation time by 97% while maintaining the persuasive quality essential for post-conviction relief.

Key benefits

How CaseMark automations transform your workflow

Generate complete motions in 12 minutes vs. 6+ hours manually

Automatically structure all required sections including caption, grounds, legal argument, and prayer for relief

Ensure comprehensive coverage of viable grounds from evidentiary weight to juror misconduct

Maintain consistent quality across multiple post-conviction motions

Free attorneys to focus on case strategy and client communication rather than document formatting

What you'll receive

Caption with court and case information
Introduction citing procedural rule
Grounds for New Trial with detailed legal basis
Legal Argument with memorandum of points and authorities
Prayer for Relief requesting verdict be set aside

Document requirements

Required

  • Trial Transcript
  • Verdict Documentation

Optional

  • Newly Discovered Evidence
  • Witness Affidavits
  • Legal Precedents
  • Trial Exhibits

Perfect for

Criminal Defense Attorney
Appellate Lawyer
Public Defender
Legal Associate
Paralegal
Solo Practitioner

Also useful for

This workflow is applicable across multiple practice areas and use cases

Appeals98% relevant

Motions for new trial are critical post-trial documents that often precede or accompany appellate proceedings, serving as a prerequisite for preserving issues for appeal.

Appellate lawyers routinely file motions for new trial as part of the post-conviction process, and this workflow directly addresses their need to efficiently draft these time-sensitive motions with comprehensive legal grounds.

Personal Injury78% relevant

Personal injury attorneys file motions for new trial when challenging jury verdicts on damages, evidentiary rulings, or when newly discovered medical evidence emerges post-trial.

Civil litigation including personal injury cases frequently requires motions for new trial to challenge inadequate damage awards or improper jury instructions, making this workflow valuable for PI practitioners.

Commercial litigators file motions for new trial following unfavorable verdicts in breach of contract, fraud, or business tort cases to challenge evidentiary rulings or jury misconduct.

Complex commercial disputes frequently proceed to trial and require post-trial motions when challenging verdicts, making this workflow relevant for business litigation practitioners.

Employment litigators use motions for new trial to challenge adverse verdicts in discrimination, wrongful termination, or wage-and-hour cases based on evidentiary errors or newly discovered evidence.

Employment litigation often involves jury trials where post-verdict motions are necessary to challenge verdicts, making this workflow applicable for employment attorneys handling trial-level disputes.

Family Law70% relevant

Family law attorneys file motions for new trial in contested custody, divorce property division, or spousal support cases when challenging trial court findings or when new evidence emerges.

Family law matters that proceed to trial may require motions for new trial based on newly discovered evidence about assets, income, or child welfare issues, making this workflow applicable to family law practitioners.

Frequently asked questions

Q

What grounds for new trial can CaseMark help me draft?

A

CaseMark supports all standard grounds including verdicts contrary to evidence weight, newly discovered evidence, prosecutorial or juror misconduct, ineffective assistance of counsel, and trial court legal errors. The platform guides you through articulating each ground with proper legal framing and ensures your motion addresses the specific circumstances of your case.

Q

How does AI drafting ensure my motion meets court procedural requirements?

A

CaseMark incorporates jurisdiction-specific procedural rules and formatting standards into every motion. The platform automatically includes required sections like proper caption, procedural rule citations, grounds articulation, legal memorandum, and prayer for relief—ensuring compliance with court rules while you focus on the substantive arguments.

Q

Can I customize the legal arguments in my motion for new trial?

A

Absolutely. CaseMark generates a comprehensive foundation that you can fully customize to your case specifics. You can add case-specific facts, incorporate your legal research, adjust arguments for strategic emphasis, and refine the memorandum of points and authorities while maintaining the professional structure and formatting.

Q

How quickly can I generate a motion for new trial with CaseMark?

A

Most attorneys generate complete, court-ready motions in 10-15 minutes using CaseMark. This includes inputting case information, selecting grounds, and reviewing the output—compared to 6-8 hours for manual drafting. The time savings allow you to file timely post-conviction motions without sacrificing quality or missing critical deadlines.

Q

Does CaseMark help with the memorandum of points and authorities?

A

Yes. CaseMark provides structured legal argument sections aligned with your stated grounds, creating a framework for your memorandum of points and authorities. While you'll want to incorporate jurisdiction-specific case law and detailed legal analysis, the platform ensures proper organization and argument flow that supports your motion's persuasiveness.

Q

What documents do I need to upload to draft a motion for new trial?

A

At minimum, you'll need the trial transcript and verdict documentation. Optional uploads like newly discovered evidence, witness affidavits, and relevant case law strengthen your motion. CaseMark analyzes these materials to help identify viable grounds and incorporate supporting facts into your motion's legal arguments.

Q

Is CaseMark suitable for both state and federal criminal cases?

A

Yes. CaseMark adapts to both state and federal procedural rules for motions for new trial. You specify your jurisdiction and applicable rules of criminal procedure, and the platform formats your motion accordingly, ensuring compliance whether you're filing in state trial court or federal district court.