A motion for new trial is a procedure that allows the trial court to order a new trial to correct significant errors in the previous trial that prevented a party from receiving a fair trial.
In Michigan, a motion for a new trial is governed by Michigan Court Rules (MCR) and case law. According to MCR 2.611, a party may file a motion for a new trial on the grounds of irregularity in the proceedings of the court, jury, or adverse party, or any order of the court or abuse of discretion that deprived the moving party of a fair trial. Other grounds include misconduct of the jury or prevailing party, accidents or surprise that could not have been prevented by ordinary prudence, newly discovered evidence that could not have been discovered and produced at trial with reasonable diligence, excessive or inadequate damages appearing to have been influenced by passion or prejudice, and errors in the admission or rejection of evidence or other errors of law occurring at the trial. The motion must generally be filed within 21 days after the entry of judgment, unless a different time is set by the court. Federal law also provides similar mechanisms for requesting a new trial under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, specifically Rule 59, which allows for a new trial on similar grounds as those in Michigan state law.