slnlaw
  • Home
  • Estate Planning
    • Massachusetts Wills and Trusts
    • Why You Need an Estate Plan
    • Massachusetts Estate Tax
    • Inheritance Tax
    • How to Make an Estate Plan
  • Employment Law Solutions
    • Employment Law MA
    • Employment Termination
    • Sexual Harassment at Work >
      • Sexual Harassment in a Small Business
      • Sexual Harassment and Non Disclosure Agreements
      • Sexual Harassment and Remote Work
    • Wage and Hour Laws
    • Independent Contractor Law
    • Non Compete Agreements >
      • Are non competes enforceable
      • Massachusetts Non Compete Act
      • Pre 2018 Massachusetts Non Competes
    • Equal Pay Act
  • Business Law Solutions
    • Small Business Law
    • Business Contract Basics
    • Civil Suit Defense
    • Legal Issues for Start Ups
    • Trademark Basics
    • How to Incorporate
    • Sale of Business
  • Attorneys
    • Emily Smith-Lee >
      • 2018 Lawyer of the Year
    • Jenna Ordway
    • Rebecca Rogers
    • Stowell Simonton
    • Elijah Bresley
  • Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact
Call (781) 784-2322

Can I Ask the Court to Dismiss the Claims Against Me?

There are basically three points in a lawsuit where the court can dispose of the claims against you: a motion to dismiss at the beginning of a case, a motion for summary judgment after the parties have completed discovery, and after all of the evidence at trial. 

To dismiss a case at the very beginning, you have to have a legal defense that would defeat the plaintiff's claims even if all of the facts they claim were true. If the claim was brought outside of the statute of limitations, you may be able to dismiss it based on their failure to meet time limits. Another example is if the plaintiff was required to first go to an administrative agency and failed to do so. Rarely, but sometimes, a complaint simply fails to claim facts that would support the plaintiff's claims. More often than not, you will have to go through at least some discovery before you can ask the court to dismiss the claims. You should discuss with your attorney whether there are any legal issues in play that could support a motion to dismiss.

Learn more here about what to expect as a defendant in a civil lawsuit.

Need Help Responding to a Civil Complaint?

Contact Us
Can I ask the court to dismiss the claims against me?

Sharon MA

46 South Main Street
​Sharon MA 02067

(781) 784-2322
Greater Boston Referral Resources
slnlaw solutions
Refer a Friend
slnlaw publications and interviews
​slnlaw privacy policy
Chester MA
26B Main Street
Chester MA 01011
(413) 667-2322
Western MA Referral Resources

  • Home
  • Estate Planning
    • Massachusetts Wills and Trusts
    • Why You Need an Estate Plan
    • Massachusetts Estate Tax
    • Inheritance Tax
    • How to Make an Estate Plan
  • Employment Law Solutions
    • Employment Law MA
    • Employment Termination
    • Sexual Harassment at Work >
      • Sexual Harassment in a Small Business
      • Sexual Harassment and Non Disclosure Agreements
      • Sexual Harassment and Remote Work
    • Wage and Hour Laws
    • Independent Contractor Law
    • Non Compete Agreements >
      • Are non competes enforceable
      • Massachusetts Non Compete Act
      • Pre 2018 Massachusetts Non Competes
    • Equal Pay Act
  • Business Law Solutions
    • Small Business Law
    • Business Contract Basics
    • Civil Suit Defense
    • Legal Issues for Start Ups
    • Trademark Basics
    • How to Incorporate
    • Sale of Business
  • Attorneys
    • Emily Smith-Lee >
      • 2018 Lawyer of the Year
    • Jenna Ordway
    • Rebecca Rogers
    • Stowell Simonton
    • Elijah Bresley
  • Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact