Defining a Motion of Reconsideration in Fairfax A motion for reconsideration asks a court to reconsider the sentence previously imposed on a defendant. Only the sentence that the court imposed after having found the defendant guilty is re-examined.
Motions may be typed by either party, may be filed on the General Notice and Motion Form or may be filed on one of the appropriate forms provided by the Supreme Court of Virginia (located here).
In some circumstances, you file a petition or a motion. The court has several complaint forms that you may use in drafting your complaint. The forms are available online and at the Pro Se Intake Unit. You may also write your own complaint without using a court form.
All motions, except motions for the qualification of attorneys at law to practice in this Court, shall be in writing and filed with the clerk of this Court. All motions shall contain a statement by the movant that the other parties to the appeal have been informed of the intended filing of the motion.
General format - each motion generally consists of a case caption, a title that briefly identifies the relief sought, a series of numbered paragraphs that explains -- in a logical way -- why you are entitled to that relief, a prayer for relief, a signature block, a certification that a copy of the motion was sent to ...
Motion to strike evidence. When a defendant moves the court to strike out all of the evidence, upon any grounds, and such motion is overruled by the court, such defendant shall not thereafter be precluded from introducing evidence in his behalf.
Motions may be filed for the same purposes recognized by the courts of record in the Commonwealth. Unless otherwise ordered by the commission, any response to a motion must be filed within 14 days of the filing of the motion, and any reply by the moving party must be filed within 10 days of the filing of the response.
For all other petitions, a responsive pleading must be filed with the clerk of this Court within 21 days after service of the petition or the filing thereof, whichever date is later.
Any party may file a response to a motion; Rule 27(a)(2) governs its contents. The response must be filed within 10 days after service of the motion unless the court shortens or extends the time.