Court Opinion

ID: 9729799
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:49:12.587505+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:01.243024
License: Public Domain

SPAETH, Judge,
concurring:
I join Judge HOFFMAN’s concurring opinion. However, I do not agree with the following, at page 485 of the opinion:
If oral post-verdict motions are not made, the trial judge should ask the defendant and counsel whether they plan to file written post-verdict motions within seven days pursuant to Rule 1123(a). If either defendant or his *496counsel desires to do so, he should reserve the right to file motions under Rule 1123(a).
(Emphasis added.)
I am apprehensive that this may be read as implying that if a defendant or his counsel does not “reserve,” the right to file is waived. Rule 1123(a) grants the right to file post-verdict motions within seven days, without requiring any act of a defendant or his counsel beyond the filing of the motions; no reservation is required. I nevertheless agree that it would be wise, as well as polite, to inform the court that the defendant intends to file written motions.