A motion is a formal request made to a judge for an order or judgment. Motions can be filed for many purposes, such as: to continue a trial to a later date, to get modification or clarification of an existing order, for a judgment, for discovery issues, for a rehearing or reconsideration, for sanctions, or for many other purposes. Most motions require the underlying motion to be made in pleading, and a brief of legal reasons for granting the motion (often called "points and authorities"), written notice to the opposing party and a hearing before a judge.