As with all motions, a motion to strike must state with particularity the grounds for seeking the order to strike, as well as the relief sought. FRCP 7(b); Smart Code®. Under FRCP 12(f), the court may strike from a pleading an insufficient defense or any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter.
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.
A party may move for a more definite statement when a complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim or third-party complaint is vague or ambiguous.
Grounds for a motion to strike include the following: The pleading is false; that is, untrue. The pleading is filed without the required leave of court. The form of pleading is in violation of a court order. The pleading is filed late. The pleading is barred by the statute of limitations. The pleading must be verified.
After being served with a complaint, a defendant has to decide how to initially respond. There are two options—filing a pre-answer motion or filing an answer: 1.
A motion to strike is a request by one party in a United States trial requesting that the presiding judge order the removal of all or part of the opposing party's pleading to the court.
A motion for a more definite statement must be filed before filing a responsive pleading. FRCP 12(e). Therefore, unless ordered otherwise by the court, the motion must be filed within 21 days after being served with a summons and complaint, or within 60 days if service of the complaint was timely waived.
(e) Motion for More Definite Statement. If a pleading to which a responsive pleading is permitted is so vague or ambiguous that a party cannot reasonably be required to frame a responsive pleading, the party may move for a more definite statement before interposing the party's responsive pleadings.
A motion for a more definite statement is designed to provide a party with a remedy when it is served with an unintelligible pleading. See Point of Law (POL); see Smart Code®. When to File. A motion for a more definite statement must be filed before filing a responsive pleading.
An example of a motion to suppress is where a defendant requests the court to suppress a confession by the defendant to the police that was obtained as a result of a Miranda violation.