The first lines of your motion should state your name and role in the case, and what you are asking the judge to do. Traditionally, the first line begins "Comes now the defendant," followed by your name. Then you state that you're asking the court to dismiss the plaintiff's complaint.
PRACTICE TIP: Courts consider striking a party's pleading to be an extreme measure, and motions to strike are viewed with disfavor and infrequently granted. POL. Many courts consider filing this motion as a dilatory tactic.
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.
(f) Motion to Strike. A party may move to strike or the court may strike redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter from any pleading at any time.
MOTIONS TO DISMISS IN CIVIL CASES ARE COMMON In these civil litigation cases, motions to dismiss are likely based on “failure to state a claim.” A motion to dismiss is filed in response to a complaint filed by the Plaintiff requesting that the court grant them some form of relief usually damages.
If you see a potential for a motion to dismiss, this is an opportunity to inform the client how much legal expertise is necessary for such a filing. In other words, they will be facing a daunting challenge trying to represent themselves and will likely need an attorney more than ever.
A “motion to dismiss” is typically filed in response to a complaint and is made in lieu of filing an “answer.” Technically, a plaintiff can move to “strike” a defense that a defendant has pled, given that defenses are subject to the same pleading requirements as are the plaintiff's claims.
For example, before disgraced comedian Bill Cosby's retrial, his defense team filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the sexual assault alleged in the criminal complaint had happened outside of the statute of limitations.
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.
A motion to dismiss asks the court to dismiss either whole or part of a complaint, counterclaim, or crossclaim. Motion to strike or "Demurrer": In some jurisdictions, a motion to strike or a "demurrer" is the equivalent to a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.