Which statement best describes a motion to strike?

• A. It eliminates part of the pleading
• B. It discovers new fact witnesses
• C. It changes venue
• D. It grants summary judgment

Answer: (A)

A motion to strike is a request to remove material from a pleading that is irrelevant, redundant, immaterial, or scandalous. The aim is to clean up the pleadings so the issues are clear and to prevent prejudice or confusion in the case. That description fits the option stating that it eliminates part of the pleading. It isn’t about discovery of witnesses, which is a separate process; it isn’t about changing venue, which moves the case to a different court; and it isn’t about resolving the case on its merits, which is what summary judgment does. In federal practice, this remedy is governed by Rule 12(f), allowing the court to strike such improper material from a pleading.