ABA Family Legal Guide

How the Legal System Works

The Civil Trial: Step by Step

Commencing Legal Proceedings and Procedures Before Trial

What is a motion for change of venue?

In addition to deciding whether it has jurisdiction to hear the case, a trial court may also be asked to determine whether the case should be heard where it was filed or in a court in some other city, county, or state. If the court determines that it would be more convenient for the parties if the trial were held somewhere else, or if the court determines that there is so much publicity about the case in one community that it should be heard elsewhere to assure a fair trial, the court will permit the case to be heard in a different location. This is called a change of venue. Congress (or, in the case of state courts, the state legislature) determines the rules regarding venue, which are generally designed to ensure that neither party is prejudiced by the trial's location.