(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. 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 3-519.Motion for judgment
District Court · Last amended January 1, 2004 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3-519 lets a party move for judgment once the opposing side finishes presenting its evidence, and sets out how the court weighs that motion and what happens if it's denied.
Full Text of Rule 3-519
(b) Disposition. — When a defendant moves for judgment at the close of the evidence offered by the plaintiff, the court may proceed 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.
Amendment History
Amended Nov. 12, 2003, effective Jan. 1, 2004.
Committee Note & Source
Source. This Rule is new but is derived in part as follows: Section (a) is new and replaces former M.D.R. 535. Section (b) is in part derived from the 1968 version of Fed. R. Civ. P. 41 (b) and is in part new. Section (c) is derived from former Rule 552 b.
Plain-English Summary
Once an opposing party has finished offering its evidence, any party can move for judgment on some or all of the issues in the case. The motion has to do more than gesture at weakness in the other side's case — it must state with particularity every reason the motion should be granted. No one needs to object to the motion itself, and a party doesn't give up the right to move for judgment just because it introduced some evidence during the opponent's case.
How the court handles the motion depends on who's moving and when. When a defendant moves for judgment at the close of the plaintiff's evidence, the court has real discretion: it can go ahead and decide the facts and enter judgment against the plaintiff, or it can hold off ruling until all the evidence is in. In every other circumstance — for instance, a motion made at the close of all the evidence — the court has to view the evidence and every inference from it in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion, a standard that gives the non-movant the benefit of the doubt.
If the motion doesn't succeed, the moving party isn't locked out. It can go on to offer its own evidence just as if the motion had never been made, without having reserved that right in advance. Making that choice, though, has a price: putting on evidence after a denied motion for judgment withdraws the motion.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I move for judgment during trial?
At the close of the evidence offered by an opposing party, on any or all of the issues in the case.
Do I need to explain my reasons in the motion?
Yes. The rule requires the moving party to state with particularity all the reasons the motion should be granted.
What happens if the court denies my motion for judgment?
You can go on to offer evidence as if you'd never made the motion, without having reserved the right in advance. But doing so withdraws the motion.
Does the court apply the same standard to every motion for judgment?
No. When a defendant moves at the close of the plaintiff's case, the court may weigh the facts directly and rule against the plaintiff, or wait until all the evidence is in. Under any other circumstance, the court must view the evidence and inferences in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion.
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 Maryland District Courtdirected verdict Maryland District Court rulemove for judgment at close of evidence Maryland