Asked in Family Law, Personal Injury and Civil Litigation for California

Q: Can I file a Motion to Dismiss after already filing an Answer to a Complaint and Summon for a civil case in California?

Want to file a motion to dismiss

2 Lawyer Answers

A: Not enough information here. One way a defendant can get a case dismissed is with a motion for summary judgement or a motion for judgment on the pleadings. You need to consult with an attorney one-on-one to see what options are available to you for getting the case dismissed with the facts and evidence available specific to your case.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: In California, after filing an answer to a complaint, you generally cannot file a motion to dismiss in the same way you could before filing an answer.

However, you may have the option to file a motion for summary judgment if you believe there are no material facts in dispute and you are entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Alternatively, you could file a motion for judgment on the pleadings or a demurrer, depending on the circumstances of your case. It is important to carefully consider the grounds for such a motion and whether it is procedurally appropriate at this stage of the litigation.

Consulting with an attorney who can assess the specific facts of your case is recommended to determine the best course of action.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.