Civil Procedure Multistate Bar Practice Exam

What is a valid reason for filing a Motion for New Trial?

1. A change in the law during the trial

2. New evidence that could have been discovered earlier

3. Disagreement with the jury’s decision

4. Error in the jury instructions

The correct answer is: Error in the jury instructions

Filing a Motion for New Trial is often based on significant legal grounds that may have affected the outcome of the trial. One valid reason is the presence of an error in the jury instructions. If the jury was not properly instructed on the relevant law or the standards applicable to the case, it can lead to confusion and potentially an unjust verdict. Courts place significant importance on correct jury instructions, as they guide jurors in their decision-making process. An error in these instructions can distort the jury's understanding of the legal rules that should govern their deliberations, thus justifying a request for a new trial. In contrast, a change in the law during the trial does not typically warrant a new trial unless it fundamentally alters the basis of the claims or defenses at issue, which is rare. Similarly, new evidence that could have been discovered earlier is often not a sufficient ground for a new trial unless the evidence is truly exceptional and would have changed the trial's outcome, demonstrating that the party exercised reasonable diligence to find the evidence before. Disagreement with the jury's decision alone does not provide a legal basis for a new trial; it’s a natural outcome of the adversarial system where jurors make determinations based on the evidence presented.