Can a motion made during a hearing or trial be made orally?

• A. No
• B. Yes
• C. Only in writing
• D. Only with the other party's consent

Answer: (B)

Motions can be made orally during a hearing or trial. As issues come up in court, a party can raise a request for relief on the record, and the judge may rule immediately or take it under advisement. While some pretrial relief—like certain dispositive motions—often must be in writing, courts routinely allow oral motions during trial for matters such as objections, admissibility of evidence, or requests for a continuance or mistrial. Consent of the other party is not required to make an oral motion, and the requirement for writing does not apply to every motion at trial.