When may post-trial relief such as a new trial or relief from judgment be sought under ARCP?

When may post-trial relief such as a new trial or relief from judgment be sought under ARCP?

• A. Only after the final appellate decision.
• B. Any time before trial.
• C. Within prescribed time limits for post-trial motions, on grounds such as errors, newly discovered evidence, or miscalculation.
• D. There is no time limit for post-trial motions.

Answer: (C)

Post-trial relief is controlled by specific deadlines in the Alabama Rules, not an open-ended window. After a judgment, you must act within the timeframes set for post-trial motions. For a new trial, the deadline is 28 days after entry of judgment or the verdict. For relief from judgment, you can seek relief based on listed grounds (such as errors, newly discovered evidence, or miscalculation) within the time limits that govern Rule 60-type motions—typically within a reasonable time, and often within one year depending on the ground. Because these deadlines exist, post-trial relief cannot be pursued indefinitely, and it is not something you can wait to pursue only after an appeal, nor something you can file before the trial has concluded. This is why the best answer describes relief as sought within prescribed time limits for post-trial motions on those grounds.

Post-trial relief is controlled by specific deadlines in the Alabama Rules, not an open-ended window. After a judgment, you must act within the timeframes set for post-trial motions. For a new trial, the deadline is 28 days after entry of judgment or the verdict. For relief from judgment, you can seek relief based on listed grounds (such as errors, newly discovered evidence, or miscalculation) within the time limits that govern Rule 60-type motions—typically within a reasonable time, and often within one year depending on the ground. Because these deadlines exist, post-trial relief cannot be pursued indefinitely, and it is not something you can wait to pursue only after an appeal, nor something you can file before the trial has concluded. This is why the best answer describes relief as sought within prescribed time limits for post-trial motions on those grounds.