A motion for new trial is a procedure that allows the trial court to order a new trial to correct significant errors in the previous trial that prevented a party from receiving a fair trial.
In Alaska, a motion for a new trial is governed by Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 59. A party may file a motion for a new trial within 10 days after the entry of judgment or within a further time the court may allow. The grounds for requesting a new trial include errors of law at trial, the verdict being against the weight of the evidence, newly discovered evidence that could not have been obtained with reasonable diligence before or during the trial, misconduct of the jury or prevailing party, among others. The decision to grant a new trial is at the discretion of the trial court, and the court must weigh whether the alleged errors were significant enough to have affected the trial's outcome. If the motion is granted, the previous verdict is set aside, and a new trial is conducted to rectify the errors and ensure a fair trial process.