What is the legal term for a formal request made to a court?

A motion is the correct term for a formal request made to a court. In legal contexts, a motion is typically a written request made by a party in a lawsuit asking the court to issue a ruling or order on a specific legal issue. This can include various types of requests, such as motions to dismiss a case, motions for summary judgment, or motions for a new trial.

Motions are an integral part of the litigation process, allowing parties to seek relief or clarification on matters before the court. The court then reviews the motion, considers any arguments presented, and makes a ruling based on the law and facts presented.

Other terms, while relevant in the legal field, do not fit the definition of a formal request to a court as a motion does. A plea refers to a defendant's formal response to criminal charges, a verdict is the decision made by a jury or judge regarding the outcome of a case, and a sentence is the punishment assigned after a verdict of guilty in criminal cases. Each of these terms represents a different aspect of court proceedings but does not signify the act of making a formal request to the court.