pretrialmotions
nounUK /ˌpriːˈtraɪəl ˈməʊʃənz/
US /ˌpriːˈtraɪəl ˈmoʊʃənz/
Requests made to a judge before a trial starts to decide how the trial will work.
The lawyer filed several pretrial motions to keep certain evidence out of the trial.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Formal written requests asking the court to rule on specific issues before the main trial begins.
The defense submitted pretrial motions to dismiss the charges.
3. Legal filings used to narrow the issues that will be argued during the actual trial.
Through pretrial motions, both sides agreed on which witnesses could testify.
4. Procedural requests that can change the schedule or rules of an upcoming trial.
The judge granted two pretrial motions to extend deadlines.