“A motion to strike is not designed as a mechanism for presenting disputes about law or fact; it authorizes the court to strike any insufficient defense or any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter." (See V.R.C.P. 12(f)l Watson v. Vill. at Northshore I Ass'n, Inc., SUPREME COURT No. 2013-451, at *2 (Vt. May 9, 2014).)
“The motion to strike is in effect a demurrer, and we so treat it regardless of what it is called.” (See Kaeser v. Town of Starksboro (1951) 116 Vt. 389, 391, 77 A.2d 831; Johnson and Wight, Inc. v. Rickard (1947) 115 Vt. 118, 120, 52 A.2d 786; Longey v. Slator (1954 118 Vt. 251, 256.)
“The demurrer is still employed to test the sufficiency of a pleading in matters of substance.” (See Coates v. Eastern States Farmers Exchange (1925) 99 Vt. 170, 176.)
“A shortage in the basic facts is properly challenged by a subsequent motion to strike.” (See Bliss v. Moore Stoughton (1941) 112 Vt. 185, 190, 22 A.2d 315; Alling Const. Co., Inc. v. Bissette (1974) 132 Vt. 331, 334.)
“In order to preserve a claim of error in the introduction of evidence, the party opposing introduction must make a timely objection or motion to strike." (See V.R.E. 103(a)(1); State v. Kinney (2000) 171 Vt. 239, 253.)
“This means that [t]he objection must have been made at the time the evidence was offered or the question was asked." (See State v. Fisher (1997) 167 Vt. 36, 43, 702 A.2d 41, 45.)
“A motion to strike must also be timely.” (See State v. Kinney (2000) 171 Vt. 239, 253.)
“Ordinarily, it must be made when the grounds for it become apparent.” (See See State v. Archbold (1984) 350 N.W.2d 500, 505.)
“Under sub. sec. 1041(a), a SLAPP suit is an action arising from defendant's exercise, in connection with a public issue, of the right to freedom of speech or to petition the government for redress of grievances under the United States or Vermont Constitution." (See 12 V.S.A. sub. sec. 1041(a); Felis v. Downs Rachlin Martin, PLLC (2015) 129, 16.)
“The statute accomplishes its purpose by authorizing the defendant in an alleged SLAPP suit to bring a special motion to strike within sixty days after the filing of the complaint.” (See id.)
“The plaintiff then has fifteen days to answer.” (See id.)
“The filing of the motion normally stops all discovery until it is addressed, and a court must hold a hearing on the motion within thirty days unless the period is extended for good cause shown." (See id.)
“The motion is decided on the pleadings and supporting and opposing affidavits, and must be granted unless the plaintiff shows the defendant's exercise of his or her right to freedom of speech and to petition was devoid of any reasonable factual support and any arguable basis in law and the defendant's acts caused actual injury to the plaintiff.” (See id.)
“If the court grants the motion to strike, it shall award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the defendant.” (See id.)
“If the court denies the motion as frivolous or intended solely to cause unnecessary delay, it must award attorney's fees and costs to plaintiff.” (See id.)
“We review the trial court's ruling on a motion to strike for abuse of discretion.” (See State v. Cardinal (1990) 155 Vt. 411, 416, 584 A.2d 1152, 1156, State v. Voog (2012) 45 A.3d 43, 45.)
“The trial court decides whether evidence is admissible in the first instance.” (See V.R.E. 104(a) [Preliminary questions concerning ... the admissibility of evidence shall be determined by the court].)
“On review, we generally accord deference to the court's decision to admit or deny evidence, and will reverse the trial court's ruling only when there has been an abuse of discretion that resulted in prejudice.” (See State v. Desautels (2006) 84, ¶ 12, 180 Vt. 189, 908 A.2d 463; State v. Lumumba (2014) 104 A.3d 627, 629.)
“Abuse of discretion occurs when that discretion is exercised on grounds or for reasons clearly untenable, or to an extent clearly unreasonable." (See In re Halnon (2002) 174 Vt. 514, 517; In re Gaines Farm Cmty. Solar, LLC, SUPREME COURT No. 2017-263, at *2 (Vt. Dec. 1, 2017).)
It is well settled that “in ruling on special motion to strike, [the] trial court shall consider pleadings and supporting and opposing affidavits stating the facts upon which the liability or defense is based.” (See Chandler v. Rutland Herald Publ'g, SUPREME COURT No. 2015-265, at *3 (Vt. Nov. 19, 2015).)
It is also well settled that “if the court denies the special motion to strike and finds the motion is frivolous or is intended solely to cause unnecessary delay, the court shall award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the plaintiff.” (See Bock v. Smith, SUPREME COURT No. 2017-176, at *4 (Vt. Dec. 1, 2017).)
Aug 17, 2023
09/08/2023 Active - Pretrial
Windham County
Windham County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Other
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Jun 23, 2023
Non-Jury Verdict
Bennington County
Bennington County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Jun 14, 2023
08/03/2023 Active - Answer Due
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Claim Against Gov. - Other
May 31, 2023
Dismissal
Franklin County
Franklin County, VT
Declaratory Judgment
May 16, 2023
06/19/2023 Active - Pretrial
Rutland County
Rutland County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
May 15, 2023
Dismissal
Lamoille County
Lamoille County, VT
Miscellaneous - Other
May 10, 2023
Want of Prosecution
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Contract - Other
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Apr 12, 2023
Dismissal
Bennington County
Bennington County, VT
Miscellaneous - Other
Apr 11, 2023
10/18/2023 Disposed
Hon. Corbett, Dickson
Rutland County
Rutland County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Mar 15, 2023
Voluntary Dismissal
Windham County
Windham County, VT
Enforcement Action by Government
Creditor
Judgment Enforcement
Mar 09, 2023
04/10/2023 Active - Answer Due
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Claim Against Gov. - Election
Mar 03, 2023
Non-Jury Verdict
Washington County
Washington County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Mar 01, 2023
Dismissal
Grand Isle County
Grand Isle County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Feb 03, 2023
06/26/2023 Disposed
Washington County
Washington County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Jan 26, 2023
Appealed
Addison County
Addison County, VT
Appeal - Probate
Probate
General Probate
Jan 25, 2023
Dismissal
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Dec 22, 2022
03/06/2023 Active - Pretrial
Franklin County
Franklin County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Dec 20, 2022
08/02/2023 Active - Pretrial
Washington County
Washington County, VT
Miscellaneous - Other
Dec 19, 2022
04/13/2023 Disposed
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Nov 15, 2022
07/06/2023 Disposed
Windham County
Windham County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Oct 28, 2022
08/15/2023 Active - Pretrial
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Tort - Slander/Libel/Defamation
Torts
Slander,Libel,Defamation
Oct 18, 2022
11/18/2022 Active - Pretrial
Franklin County
Franklin County, VT
Contract - Other
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Oct 05, 2022
03/13/2024 Active - Pretrial
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Tort - Intentional Tort
Torts
Intentional Torts
Sep 07, 2022
11/03/2023 Active - Mediation
Lamoille County
Lamoille County, VT
Contract - Other
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Aug 26, 2022
05/02/2023 Disposed
Franklin County
Franklin County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Aug 12, 2022
10/02/2023 Disposed - Post Judgment
Caledonia County
Caledonia County, VT
Tort - Slander/Libel/Defamation
Torts
Slander,Libel,Defamation
Aug 05, 2022
11/02/2022 Disposed
Windham County
Windham County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Aug 04, 2022
10/17/2023 Disposed
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Tort - Personal Injury
Torts
Personal Injury
Jul 26, 2022
09/21/2022 Disposed
Bennington County
Bennington County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Jul 22, 2022
01/19/2023 Disposed
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Jul 19, 2022
05/09/2023 Active - Motion Under Advisement
Franklin County
Franklin County, VT
Contract - Other
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Jul 15, 2022
01/12/2023 Disposed
Caledonia County
Caledonia County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Jul 05, 2022
07/07/2023 Active - Mediation
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Tort - Personal Injury
Torts
Personal Injury
Jun 24, 2022
09/22/2023 Disposed
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Jun 23, 2022
10/31/2022 Disposed
Franklin County
Franklin County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Jun 08, 2022
09/16/2022 Disposed
Orange County
Orange County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
May 26, 2022
06/14/2022 Active - Pretrial
Orange County
Orange County, VT
Collection - Credit Card
Apr 29, 2022
07/24/2023 Active - Ready for Jury Trial
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Tort - Negligence
Torts
General Negligence
Apr 18, 2022
11/04/2022 Disposed
Hon. Mello, Robert A.
Washington County
Washington County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Apr 08, 2022
12/01/2022 Disposed
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Apr 07, 2022
09/20/2023 Disposed
Rutland County
Rutland County, VT
Tort - Slander/Libel/Defamation
Torts
Slander,Libel,Defamation
Apr 04, 2022
08/16/2023 Active - Ready for Trial
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Mar 29, 2022
10/17/2023 Active - Hearing on Merits is Set
Lamoille County
Lamoille County, VT
Declaratory Judgment
Mar 25, 2022
08/02/2023 Active - Mediation
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Tort - Malpractice Other
Torts
Malpractice
Mar 25, 2022
Other
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Mar 11, 2022
Dismissal
Windham County
Windham County, VT
Tort - Malpractice Medical
Torts
Malpractice
Feb 16, 2022
Other
Franklin County
Franklin County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Feb 10, 2022
04/15/2022 Active - Pretrial
Caledonia County
Caledonia County, VT
Contract - Other
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Jan 26, 2022
05/03/2022 Disposed
Rutland County
Rutland County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Jan 21, 2022
08/02/2023 Disposed
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Prisoner Case - Review of Governmental Action
Jan 13, 2022
01/10/2024 Active - Pretrial
Orange County
Orange County, VT
Tort - Intentional Tort
Torts
Intentional Torts
Jan 04, 2022
10/27/2023 Disposed
Rutland County
Rutland County, VT
Miscellaneous - Other
Dec 29, 2021
12/27/2022 Disposed
Hon. Gerety, Robert P., Jr.
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Tort - Slander/Libel/Defamation
Dec 22, 2021
07/29/2022 Disposed
Rutland County
Rutland County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Dec 20, 2021
01/09/2023 Disposed
Caledonia County
Caledonia County, VT
Contract - Other
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Dec 01, 2021
03/28/2022 Disposed
Lamoille County
Lamoille County, VT
Contract - Buyer Plaintiff
Nov 15, 2021
07/27/2022 Active - Pretrial
Windham County
Windham County, VT
Claim Against Gov. - Rule 75 (Non-Prisoner)
Nov 13, 2021
06/28/2023 Active - Mediation
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Tort - Negligence
Torts
General Negligence
Nov 12, 2021
04/05/2023 Active - Mediation
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Claim Against Gov. - Rule 75 (Non-Prisoner)
Nov 05, 2021
01/27/2023 Disposed
Hon. Clerk, Superior Court
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Tort - Negligence
Torts
General Negligence
Nov 01, 2021
04/11/2023 Active - Ready for Trial
Bennington County
Bennington County, VT
Miscellaneous - Other
Oct 15, 2021
01/22/2022 Disposed
Hon. Teachout, Mary M.
Caledonia County
Caledonia County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Oct 06, 2021
07/12/2022 Disposed
Lamoille County
Lamoille County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Sep 27, 2021
Voluntary Dismissal
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Other
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Sep 03, 2021
04/08/2022 Disposed
Orleans County
Orleans County, VT
Collection - Credit Card
Sep 03, 2021
01/11/2023 Disposed
Bennington County
Bennington County, VT
Contract - Other
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Sep 02, 2021
12/23/2021 Disposed
Hon. Gerety, Robert P., Jr.
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Tort - Negligence
Torts
General Negligence
Aug 06, 2021
02/01/2024 Active - Pretrial
Franklin County
Franklin County, VT
Employment - Discrimination
Labor and Employment
Discrimination
Aug 05, 2021
Appealed
Franklin County
Franklin County, VT
Foreclosure - Residential
Property
Foreclosure
Aug 05, 2021
11/18/2021 Disposed
Hon. Gerety, Robert P., Jr.
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Jul 28, 2021
03/18/2024 Active - Pretrial
Windham County
Windham County, VT
Declaratory Judgment
Jul 07, 2021
02/17/2022 Disposed
Windham County
Windham County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Jun 25, 2021
01/16/2024 Active - Ready for Jury Draw
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Miscellaneous - Other
May 27, 2021
10/05/2023 Disposed
Washington County
Washington County, VT
May 12, 2021
11/16/2023 Active - Pretrial
Franklin County
Franklin County, VT
Tort - Personal Injury
Torts
Personal Injury
May 06, 2021
Voluntary Dismissal
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Employment - Other
Labor and Employment
General Employment
May 04, 2021
01/20/2022 Active - Ready for Trial
Caledonia County
Caledonia County, VT
Tort - Negligence
Torts
General Negligence
Apr 29, 2021
12/06/2021 Disposed
Rutland County
Rutland County, VT
Landlord/Tenant - Eviction
Property
Landlord-Tenant
Apr 28, 2021
05/24/2021 Disposed
Rutland County
Rutland County, VT
Collection - Credit Card
Apr 28, 2021
Dismissal
Essex County
Essex County, VT
Declaratory Judgment
Apr 20, 2021
09/05/2023 Active - Mediation
Bennington County
Bennington County, VT
Tort - Negligence
Torts
General Negligence
Apr 14, 2021
06/24/2022 Disposed
Hon. Gerety, Robert P., Jr.
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Prisoner Case - Review of Governmental Action
Mar 30, 2021
06/23/2021 Disposed
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Appeal - Small Claims
Appeals
General Appeals
Mar 18, 2021
01/18/2022 Active - Pretrial
Franklin County
Franklin County, VT
Tort - Slander/Libel/Defamation
Torts
Slander,Libel,Defamation
Mar 01, 2021
12/27/2022 Disposed
Hon. Mello, Robert A.
Washington County
Washington County, VT
Feb 22, 2021
Appealed
Windham County
Windham County, VT
Contract - Buyer Plaintiff
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Feb 12, 2021
07/05/2023 Active - Mediation
Orange County
Orange County, VT
Declaratory Judgment
Feb 11, 2021
05/02/2023 Active - Pretrial
Hon. Gerety, Robert P., Jr.
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Claim Against Gov. - Open Meeting
Feb 10, 2021
Non-Jury Verdict
Addison County
Addison County, VT
Real Property
Property
General Property
Feb 04, 2021
01/25/2023 Active - Mediation
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Real Property
Property
General Property
Feb 03, 2021
12/27/2022 Disposed
Hon. Mello, Robert A.
Washington County
Washington County, VT
Contract - Other
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Feb 03, 2021
08/01/2022 Disposed
Caledonia County
Caledonia County, VT
Tort - Negligence
Torts
General Negligence
Feb 03, 2021
04/25/2024 Active - Ready for Trial
Washington County
Washington County, VT
Jan 28, 2021
10/26/2022 Disposed
Windsor County
Windsor County, VT
Collection - Non-Credit Card
Jan 20, 2021
04/19/2021 Disposed
Windham County
Windham County, VT
Tort - Other
Dec 15, 2020
12/08/2022 Disposed
Rutland County
Rutland County, VT
Collection - Non-Credit Card
Dec 11, 2020
Dismissal
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Tort - Malpractice Medical
Torts
Malpractice
Dec 07, 2020
04/15/2022 Disposed
Bennington County
Bennington County, VT
Contract - Other
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Dec 03, 2020
03/11/2022 Active - Mediation
Lamoille County
Lamoille County, VT
Contract - Other
Commercial
Breach of Contract
Nov 25, 2020
02/14/2023 Disposed
Chittenden County
Chittenden County, VT
Appeal - Other
Appeals
General Appeals
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