Legal Definitions - motion for judgment of acquittal

Motion for Judgment of Acquittal (MJOA)

A Motion for Judgment of Acquittal (MJOA) is a formal request made by a criminal defendant to the judge during a trial. The defense asks the judge to immediately declare the defendant "not guilty" because the prosecution has failed to present enough legally sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to convict. Essentially, the defense argues that based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, no rational jury could possibly find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This motion can typically be made at two points:

• After the prosecution has presented all of its evidence.
• After all parties (prosecution and defense) have presented all of their evidence.

If the judge grants the MJOA, the defendant is acquitted, and the trial ends. Crucially, the prosecution cannot appeal this decision.

Here are some examples illustrating when a Motion for Judgment of Acquittal might be filed:

• Example 1: Insufficient Link to the Crime

  Imagine a defendant is on trial for burglary. The prosecution presents evidence showing the defendant was seen in the neighborhood where the burglary occurred around the time of the crime, and that the defendant owns a car similar to one seen leaving the scene. However, the prosecution fails to present any evidence directly linking the defendant to entering the home, possessing stolen items, or leaving fingerprints or DNA at the scene. After the prosecution rests its case, the defense attorney could file an MJOA, arguing that while the defendant's presence nearby might raise suspicion, there is no direct or circumstantial evidence presented that would allow a reasonable jury to conclude, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant committed the burglary.

• Example 2: Failure to Prove a Key Element of the Charge

  Consider a case where a defendant is charged with felony assault, which legally requires proof that the victim suffered "serious bodily injury." The prosecution presents evidence that the defendant punched the victim, causing a black eye and a minor cut. While this might constitute simple assault, the medical testimony presented by the prosecution only describes superficial injuries and explicitly states there was no permanent disfigurement, impairment, or risk of death. The defense could then file an MJOA, arguing that the prosecution has failed to present any evidence that meets the legal definition of "serious bodily injury," and therefore, no reasonable jury could convict the defendant of *felony* assault as charged.

• Example 3: Uncorroborated and Discredited Testimony

  In a conspiracy case, the prosecution's entire argument hinges on the testimony of a single witness who claims to have overheard the defendant planning the crime. During cross-examination, the defense attorney reveals that this witness has a significant history of perjury, has a strong personal vendetta against the defendant, and was offered a substantial financial reward by the prosecution for their testimony. The prosecution presents no other evidence—no recordings, documents, or other witnesses—to corroborate this testimony. The defense could then move for a judgment of acquittal, contending that the sole witness's testimony is so thoroughly discredited and uncorroborated that no reasonable jury could rely on it to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.