A motion to strike material from a complaint must be filed before filing an answer. FRCP 12(f). Therefore, unless otherwise ordered by the court, the motion must be filed by the defendant within 21 days after being served with a summons and complaint, or within 60 days if service of the complaint was timely waived.
What happens next? If we filed the motion to strike in a trial court, then we will set the motion to be heard by a judge or magistrate, and be ruled upon. If we filed it in an appeals court, the appeals court will read the motion and offending document and will rule on it without hearing.
Although most defenses to a complaint must be stated in the answer, a defendant can move to dismiss the complaint before filing an answer. Motions to dismiss typically make one or more of these arguments: The court lacks the authority or jurisdiction to decide the case or to compel a defendant to appear.
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure states that "The court may strike from a pleading an insufficient defense or any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter." Similarly, for example, the California Code of Civil Procedure provides that a motion to strike may be made to strike out any "irrelevant, ...
File a response to the motion to strike. In your response, you should argue that your answer to the defendant's motion for summary judgment was not too long and that it added new information to the case. You should also argue that the defendant's motion to strike should be denied.
Title your motion and identify yourself in the introduction. Then, say what you want the court to do and state the facts that back up your request. Write your legal argument by stating the rule and explaining how your facts apply to it. Then, add your signature, a Certificate of Service, and a Notice of Hearing.
A motion to strike material from a complaint must be filed before filing an answer. FRCP 12(f). Therefore, unless otherwise ordered by the court, the motion must be filed by the defendant within 21 days after being served with a summons and complaint, or within 60 days if service of the complaint was timely waived.
Write a short and clear introduction. Draft a factually accurate narrative. Know the standard that must be met and craft an explanation of the standard. Use the most persuasive components of the relevant law. Apply the law to the facts in a convincing and credible manner. Conclusion.
Summary. Rule 12(f) allows courts to strike redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter from pleadings. Judge Hollander's opinion in Blevins v. Piatt provides clear criteria for granting or denying a Rule 12(f) motion.