A “motion to vacate judgment” is a unique and powerful legal tool filed by a defendant who has been convicted of a crime. If this motion is granted by a judge, the defendant’s plea is officially withdrawn from the record, and the case begins anew from the point of arraignment. This is somewhat similar to what would happen if a mistrial were to occur. The difference is that it is triggered by a defendant’s request (the motion to vacate) after a properly conducted, legally binding case and not due to a procedural error or other wrongdoing by court officials.