(a) Generally. — A party may move for judgment on any or all of the issues in any action at the close of the evidence offered by an opposing party, and in a jury trial at the close of all the evidence. The moving party shall state with particularity all reasons why the motion should be granted. No objection to the motion for judgment shall be necessary. A party does not waive the right to make the motion by introducing evidence during the presentation of an opposing party’s case.
Rule 2-519.Motion for judgment
Circuit Court · Last amended January 1, 2004 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceLets a party move for judgment when the opposing side's evidence can't support a verdict, and tells the court how to decide the motion.
Full Text of Rule 2-519
(b) Disposition. — When a defendant moves for judgment at the close of the evidence offered by the plaintiff in an action tried by the court, the court may proceed, as the trier of fact, to determine the facts and to render judgment against the plaintiff or may decline to render judgment until the close of all the evidence. When a motion for judgment is made under any other circumstances, the court shall consider all evidence and inferences in the light most favorable to the party against whom the motion is made.
(c) Effect of denial. — A party who moves for judgment at the close of the evidence offered by an opposing party may offer evidence in the event the motion is not granted, without having reserved the right to do so and to the same extent as if the motion had not been made. In so doing, the party withdraws the motion.
(d) Reservation of decision in jury cases. — In a jury trial, if a motion for judgment is made at the close of all the evidence, the court may submit the case to the jury and reserve its decision on the motion until after the verdict or discharge of the jury. For the purpose of appeal, the reservation constitutes a denial of the motion unless a judgment notwithstanding the verdict has been entered.
Amendment History
Amended Nov. 12, 2003, effective Jan. 1, 2004.
Plain-English Summary
A party can move for judgment on any or all issues once the opposing party's evidence is in — at the close of that evidence, or, in a jury trial, at the close of all the evidence. The moving party has to spell out, with particularity, every reason the motion should be granted; no formal objection from the other side is needed to put the point at issue. Putting on evidence during the opposing party's case doesn't cost a party the right to move for judgment later.
How the court handles the motion depends on the setting. In a bench trial, when the defendant moves at the close of the plaintiff's evidence, the judge can act as fact-finder right then and rule against the plaintiff, or wait until all the evidence is in. In every other situation — including jury trials — the court has to view the evidence and every inference from it in the light most favorable to whoever the motion is against. If the motion isn't granted, the moving party can still put on evidence, to the same extent as if the motion had never been made; doing so withdraws the motion. And in a jury trial, if the motion is renewed at the close of all the evidence, the judge can send the case to the jury and hold off ruling until after the verdict or the jury's discharge. If the judge does that, the reservation counts as a denial for appeal purposes — unless a judgment notwithstanding the verdict is later entered.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can a party move for judgment during trial?
At the close of the evidence offered by an opposing party, and, in a jury trial, at the close of all the evidence.
What must the motion include?
The moving party must state with particularity every reason the motion should be granted. No objection from the opposing party is needed to put the motion at issue.
Does putting on my own evidence waive a motion for judgment I already lost?
No. If the motion isn't granted, the moving party can offer evidence to the same extent as if the motion had never been made, though doing so withdraws the motion.
Can a judge wait to rule on a motion for judgment in a jury trial?
Yes. If the motion is made at the close of all the evidence, the court may send the case to the jury and reserve ruling until after the verdict or the jury's discharge.
What happens if the judge reserves ruling and never revisits it?
For purposes of appeal, a reserved ruling is treated as a denial of the motion, unless a judgment notwithstanding the verdict is later entered.
How does the court view the evidence when ruling on the motion?
Outside the bench-trial scenario in Rule 2-519(b), the court must consider all the evidence and every inference in the light most favorable to the party the motion is made against.
Source & verification. Rule text, Committee Note, Source note, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Maryland Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Maryland. Last verified July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: motion for judgment marylandmaryland directed verdict rulemotion for judgment at close of evidencereserving ruling on motion for judgment maryland