Opinion ID: 2629222
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Timing of Motion for New Trial

Text: Idaho Rule of Civil Procedure 59(b) provides for the timing of a motion for new trial as [a] motion for a new trial shall be served not later than fourteen (14) days after the entry of the judgment. In this case, the motion for new trial was filed by Warren on October 11, 2001, seven days before entry of the judgment by the district court, but after the jury's September 28, 2001, verdict. Sharp contends that the district court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the motion for new trial, which was not filed in compliance with the Rule. Sharp argues that the district court is divested of jurisdiction to rule on the motion unless the motion is filed following the entry of judgment. Warren contests Sharp's assertion that a premature motion divests the court of jurisdiction, which has no basis in law. Moreover, Warren maintains that Sharp should not be able to raise the timeliness of the motion for new trial for the first time on appeal. While ordinarily this Court will not consider issues that were not raised in the trial court, it will address issues raised for the first time on appeal concerning jurisdiction, failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, and constitutionality. Nycum v. Triangle Dairy Co., 109 Idaho 858, 862, 712 P.2d 559, 562 (1985). Sharp contends the issue of untimely motions is jurisdictional and thus properly raised on appeal. To support her contention, Sharp cites Nixon v. Tongren, 33 Idaho 287, 289, 193 P. 731, 732 (1920), O'Neil v. Schuckardt, 116 Idaho 507, 509, 777 P.2d 729, 731 (1989) and Syth v. Parke, 121 Idaho 162, 165, 823 P.2d 766, 769 (1991). However, in each of these cases, the motion was filed after the time provided by the rules. The only case cited by Sharp to discuss the premature filing of a motion for new trial is Forsman v. Holbrook, 47 Idaho 241, 274 P. 111 (1929). In Forsman, which was decided prior to the adoption of the rules of civil procedure, the relevant statute cited: The party intending to move for a new trial must within 10 days after the verdict of the jury, if that action were tried by a jury, or after notice of the decision of the court or referee, if the action were tried without a jury, file with the clerk and serve upon the adverse party a notice of his motion designating the grounds upon which the motion will be made, and whether the same will be made upon affidavits, or the records and files in the action, or the minutes of the court. 47 Idaho at 244, 274 P. at 111. The Court found that the motion for new trial filed prior to the issuance of the findings of fact and conclusions of law in a court trial was premature and that the trial court was without jurisdiction to entertain the motion for new trial. Id. at 246, 274 P. at 112. Unlike in Forsman, this case was tried before a jury, which had rendered a verdict prior to the filing of Warren's motion for new trial. See 47 Idaho at 246, 274 P. at 112. Had this filing been under the rule in Forsman, the motion for new trial would have been timely as it was filed within ten days of the jury's verdict. For purposes of the filing of the motion for new trial in this case, the final judgment was nothing more than a ministerial reflection of the known jury decision. There could be no prejudice accrued by the early filing, both parties knowing the final outcome of the case. We conclude that the language of I.R.C.P. 59(d) only precludes motions filed later than 14 days after judgment from being heard. The district court did not err in ruling on the motion for new trial.