RAP 17.1: SCOPE

(a) Relief Under This Title. A person may seek relief, other than a decision of the case on the merits, by motion as provided in Title 17. In a criminal appeal where the defendant is represented by counsel, the defendant may only file a motion related to a statement of additional grounds for review or the representation of counsel. Other motions submitted by a defendant who is represented by counsel will be placed in the file without action. Any such action is not subject to the provisions of rule 17.7.

(b) Motion on the Merits. A party may seek a decision on the merits by motion as provided in rule 18.14. The rules in Title 17 apply to a motion for a decision on the merits only to the extent provided in rule 18.14.

[Originally effective July 1, 1976; amended effective September 1, 1984; September 1, 2014.]

RAP 17.2: WHO DECIDES A MOTION

(a) Generally. The judges determine (1) a motion in a brief, (2) a motion to modify a ruling by a commissioner or the clerk, (3) a motion for reconsideration of a decision, (4) a motion to recall the mandate, except for a motion made to correct an inadvertently issued mandate, and (5) a motion to publish. All other motions may be determined initially by a commissioner or the clerk of the appellate court.

(b) Reference to the Judges. A commissioner or clerk may refer a motion to the judges for determination. If the motion is referred to the judges, the commissioner or clerk will give notice of the reference to all persons entitled to notice of the motion.

(c) Transfer by Supreme Court to Court of Appeals. A commissioner or clerk of the Supreme Court may transfer a motion for discretionary review of a trial court decision to the Court of Appeals for determination.

[Amended December 24, 2002]

RAP 17.3: CONTENT OF MOTION

(a) Generally. A motion must include (1) a statement of the name and designation of the person filing the motion, (2) a statement of the relief sought, (3) reference to or copies of parts of the record relevant to the motion, and (4) a statement of the grounds for the relief sought, with supporting argument.

(b) Motion for Discretionary Review. A motion for discretionary review should contain under appropriate headings and in the order here indicated:

(1) Cover. A title page, which is the cover.

(2) Identity of Petitioner. A statement of the name and designation of the person filing the motion.

(3) Decision Below. A statement of the decision which petitioner wants reviewed, the court entering or filing the decision, the date entered or filed, and the date and a description of any order granting or denying motions made after the decision.

(4) Issues Presented for Review. A concise statement of the issues presented for review.

(5) Statement of the Case. A statement of the facts and procedure below relevant to the issues presented for review, with appropriate reference to the record.

(6) Argument. A direct and concise statement of the reasons why review should be granted, with supporting argument.

(7) Conclusion. A short conclusion stating the precise relief sought.

(8) Appendix. An appendix containing a copy of the decision which the party wants reviewed, a copy of any order granting or denying motions made with respect to that decision, and a copy of parts of the record relevant to the motion. In addition, the appendix may include copies of statutes and constitutional provisions relevant to the issues presented for review, and other material which would assist the court in determining whether the motion should be granted.

(c) Statement of Grounds for Direct Review. If the motion is for discretionary review of a trial court decision and the party making the motion seeks direct review by the Supreme Court, the party seeking review must also serve and file a separate statement urging grounds for Supreme Court review as provided in rule 4.2(b) and (c).

References

Form 3, Motion for Discretionary Review; Form 4, Statement of Grounds for Direct Review; Form 18, Motion; Form 20, Motion To Modify Ruling; Rule 6.2, Discretionary Review; Rule 12.4, Motion for Reconsideration of Decision Terminating Review.

[Amended December 24, 2002]

RAP 17.4: FILING AND SERVICE OF MOTION--ANSWER TO MOTION

(a) Filing and Service Generally; Procedure for Noting a Motion Where Permitted.

(1) A motion filed by a party must be served on all parties, amicus, and other persons entitled to notice.

(2) The Supreme Court and each division of the Court of Appeals will determine by General Order whether a party may note a motion for hearing. If a party is permitted to note a motion for hearing, the motion must be accompanied by a notice of the time and date set for oral argument of the motion. The movant should contact the clerk of the appellate court to determine the date and time available for argument of the motion. The motion and notice must be served on all parties, amicus, and other persons entitled to notice and filed in the appellate court at least 15 days before the date noted for the hearing on the motion. If a motion is not noted for hearing and the court does not set a date for a hearing, the motion will be decided without oral argument.

(b) Emergency Motion. In an emergency, a person may request expedited consideration of a motion. The person presenting the motion must, at the time the motion is made, file an affidavit stating the type of notice given and the time and date the notice was given to each person, and explain in the motion why it should be decided on an emergency basis. If the court requires an answer or sets the motion for argument, it will notify the parties and other persons entitled to notice as to when an answer should be filed, and of the date, time, and place the motion will be heard. The commissioner or clerk may decide the motion only if satisfied (1) that adequate relief cannot be given if the motion is considered in the normal course, and (2) the movant has taken reasonable steps under the circumstances to give notice to persons who would be affected by the ruling sought. An emergency motion may be presented on less notice than that required by section (a).

(c) Summary Determination.

(1) The commissioner or clerk may summarily determine without oral argument, and without awaiting an answer, a motion which, in the judgment of the commissioner or clerk, does not affect a substantial right of a party.

(2) If the commissioner or clerk makes a summary determination granting a motion under subsection (c)(1) of this rule, and a party files and serves a timely responsive pleading after the ruling has been entered, the commissioner or clerk will treat the responsive pleading as a motion for reconsideration of the ruling. If such a responsive pleading is filed, the commissioner or clerk may permit the moving party to file a reply and may allow oral argument on the motion.

(d) Motion in Brief. A party may include in a brief only a motion which, if granted, would preclude hearing the case on the merits. The answer to a motion within a brief may be made within the brief of the answering party in the time allowed for filing the brief.

(e) Answer and Reply to Motion. A person with a recognized interest in the subject matter of the motion may submit a written answer to the motion. Unless the court directs otherwise, any answer must be filed and served no later than ten (10) days after the motion is served on the answering party. The moving party may submit a written reply to the answer to the motion. Unless the court directs otherwise, any reply to an answer must be filed and served no later than three (3) days after the answer is served on the moving party, but at least one (1) day prior to the date set for oral argument.

(f) Supporting Papers. A person should serve and file with the motion all affidavits and other papers submitted in support of the motion. Affidavits and other papers submitted in support of an answer or reply must be served and filed with the answer or reply. Rule 9.11 does not apply to affidavits and other papers submitted in connection with a motion other than a motion on the merits under rule 18.14.

(g) Length of Motion, Answer and Reply; Form of Papers and Number of Copies.

(1) A motion and answer should not exceed 20 pages, not including supporting papers. A reply should not exceed 10 pages, not including supporting papers, title sheets, table of contents, and table of authorities. For compelling reasons, the court may grant a motion to file an over-length motion, answer, or reply.

(2) All papers relating to motions or answers should be filed in the form provided for briefs in rule 10.4(a), provided an original only and no copy should be filed. The appellate court commissioner or clerk will reproduce additional copies that may be necessary for the appellate court and charge the appropriate party as provided in rule 10.5(a).

References

Form 19, Notice of Motion; Rule 12.4, Motion for Reconsideration of Decision Terminating Review, (d) Answer and reply, (f) No oral argument.

[Originally effective July 1, 1976; amended effective July 2, 1976; September 1, 1990; September 1, 1994; September 1, 1998; December 24, 2002; September 1, 2006; September 1, 2010; December 10, 2013; December 8, 2015.]

RAP 17.5: ORAL ARGUMENT OF MOTION

(a) Oral Argument to Commissioner or Clerk. If oral argument is permitted by General Order, the movant, and any person entitled to notice of the motion who has filed a response to the motion, may present oral argument on a motion to be decided by a commissioner or the clerk.

(b) Oral Argument to Judges. A motion to be decided by the judges will be decided without oral argument, unless the appellate court directs otherwise.

(c) Date and Time of Argument. Oral argument on a motion to be determined by the clerk or a commissioner of the Court of Appeals will be held on the date and time noted for hearing the motion, unless otherwise directed by the Court of Appeals. Oral argument on a motion to be determined by the clerk or commissioner of the Supreme Court will be held on the date and time directed by the clerk.

(d) Time Allowed, Order, and Conduct of Oral Argument. The Supreme Court and each division of the Court of Appeals will define by general order the amount of time each side is allowed for oral argument. If there is more than one party to a side in a single review or in a consolidated review, the parties on that side will share the allotted time equally, unless the parties on that side agree to some other allocation. The appellate court may grant additional time for oral argument upon motion of a party. The moving party is entitled to open and conclude oral argument.

(e) Telephone Argument. The appellate court may direct the parties to conduct oral argument of a motion to the commissioner or clerk or to the court by conference telephone call. The expense of the call will be paid by the moving party, unless the appellate court directs otherwise in the ruling or decision on the motion. A party may request telephone conference argument by letter or telephone call to the appellate court clerk.

References

Rule 10.4, Preparation and Filing of Brief by Party, (d) Motion in brief.

[Amended effective September 1, 2006; September 1, 2010]

RAP 17.6: MOTION DECIDED BY RULING OF ORDER

(a) Motion Decided by Commissioner or Clerk. A commissioner or clerk decides a motion by a written ruling which includes a statement of the reason for the decision. The commissioner or clerk will file the ruling and serve a copy on the movant and all persons entitled to notice of the original motion.

(b) Motion Decided by Judges. Ordinarily the judges decide a motion by an order. The judges may decide a motion by an opinion. The clerk will notify the movant and all persons entitled to notice of the motion of the order made or opinion rendered by the court.

RAP 17.7: OBJECTION TO RULING--REVIEW OF DECISION ON MOTION

An aggrieved person may object to a ruling of a commissioner or clerk, including transfer of the case to the Court of Appeals under rule 17.2(c), only by a motion to modify the ruling directed to the judges of the court served by the commissioner or clerk. The motion to modify the ruling must be served on all persons entitled to notice of the original motion and filed in the appellate court not later than 30 days after the ruling is filed. A motion to the Justices in the Supreme Court will be decided by a panel of five Justices unless the court directs a hearing by the court en banc.

References

Form 20, Motion To Modify Ruling.

RAP 17.8

(RESCINDED)