Also known as: sufficient causes · good cause · just cause
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
2 senses
A justification that permits a court to excuse a party's failure to meet a procedural deadline or requirement. The justification must be shown with particularity and is granted only when the party demonstrates that compliance was not reasonably possible under the circumstances.
An independent force that by itself would have produced the plaintiff's harm even if the defendant's conduct had not occurred. When two or more such forces operate concurrently, each may be treated as a substantial factor in causing the injury.
Each sense below has its own examples, sources, and questions.
A justification that permits a court to excuse a party's failure to meet a procedural deadline or requirement. The justification must be shown with particularity and is granted only when the party demonstrates that compliance was not reasonably possible under the circumstances.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Samantha Stone served interrogatories on Solstice Ventures. Solstice answered most but objected to one question only after the thirty-day period had expired and without stating any ground for the objection. When Samantha moved to compel, Solstice asked the court to excuse the untimeliness. The court refused because Solstice offered no justification showing why a timely, specific objection could not have been made.
Santiago Sanchez was indicted and entered a not-guilty plea. Ten days later his counsel learned of a recent hospitalization revealing long-standing delusions. Counsel filed a written notice of intent to rely on an insanity defense two weeks after the deadline. The court denied leave to file late, finding that the hospitalization records had been available earlier and that the delay reflected a tactical choice rather than an excusable justification.
An officer stopped Skylar Sullivan's car after observing a broken taillight. The officer's dashboard camera showed he had also hoped to investigate possible drug activity for which he lacked any basis. Sullivan moved to suppress evidence found during the stop. The court upheld the stop, holding that the observed traffic violation supplied the necessary justification regardless of the officer's additional motive.
The party must demonstrate a justification that explains why a timely, specific objection could not have been made. Courts require particularized facts rather than general assertions of oversight or inconvenience.
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The court may allow a late filing only upon a showing that the defendant could not reasonably have discovered or disclosed the defense earlier. A tactical decision made after an unfavorable plea offer does not qualify.
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An independent force that by itself would have produced the plaintiff's harm even if the defendant's conduct had not occurred. When two or more such forces operate concurrently, each may be treated as a substantial factor in causing the injury.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
…found in the Constitution. See, e. g. , 2 Debates 267-268 (A. Hamilton at New York Convention) (noting that there would be just cause for rejecting the Constitution if it would enable the Federal Government to "alter, or abrogate . . . [a State's] civil and criminal institutions [or] penetrate the recesses of domestic…
…order stated that both Rules 33 and 34 were involved. Rule 34 establishes a procedure whereby, upon motion of any party showing good cause therefor and upon notice to all other parties, the court may order any party to produce and permit the inspection and copying or photographing of any designated documents, etc., not…
…does not apply to any child who is not in proper physical or mental condition to attend school, to any child exempted for good cause by the school board of the district in which the child resides or to any child who has completed the full 4-year high school course. The certificate of a reputable physician in general…
…depriving a person or entity of property") (emphasis added); § 6-11-20(b)(2) ("Malice" includes any "wrongful act without just cause or excuse . . . With an intent to injure the . . . property of another") (emphasis added); § 6-11-20(b)(5) ("Oppression" includes "[s]ubjecting a person to . . . un
…Valeo , 424 U. S. 1, 125–126. While the SEC has oversight of the Board, it cannot remove Board members at will, but only “for
Sasha Stone sought to introduce a witness statement under the residual hearsay exception. She provided written notice of the statement and the declarant's identity only on the morning of trial. The adverse party objected to lack of earlier notice. The court admitted the statement after finding that an unexpected medical emergency had prevented earlier disclosure and that the opponent still had a fair opportunity to prepare.
Steven Silva was charged with assault. His counsel filed a written notice of an insanity defense three weeks after the pretrial-motion deadline. The government opposed the late filing. The court denied permission to file late, ruling that counsel had not shown any justification for missing the deadline and that the government would be prejudiced in arranging its own examination.
Solomon Silver, a solo practitioner, was appointed by the court to represent an indigent defendant in a complex fraud trial. Silver moved to withdraw, citing only that the case would consume too much time and reduce his income. The court denied the motion, holding that the asserted reasons did not constitute a justification sufficient to relieve counsel of the appointment.
No. The stop is valid if the officer has probable cause for the observed traffic violation. Any additional investigative motive for which the officer lacks probable cause does not invalidate the stop.
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The proponent must show that an unforeseen circumstance prevented earlier written notice and that the opponent still received a fair opportunity to meet the evidence. Courts assess the justification in light of the timing and the nature of the emergency.
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Good cause requires a particularized explanation that the defense could not have been identified or disclosed with reasonable diligence before the deadline. Courts consider prejudice to the government and whether the delay appears tactical.
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A lawyer may decline only when representation would violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, impose an unreasonable financial burden, or present another justification recognized by the rule. Mere reduction in income or inconvenience does not suffice.
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