A motion to compel in the context of Austin, Texas refers to a legal request made by a defendant in a case to force the opposing party to provide certain information, documents, or testimony that is believed to be relevant to the case but has not been shared or disclosed. This motion urges the court to require the opposing party to fulfill its legal obligation to provide the requested materials or information. There are different types of motions to compel that can be filed by defendants in Austin, Texas cases, depending on the specific circumstances of the lawsuit. Some common types include: 1. Motion to Compel Discovery: This motion is typically filed when a defendant believes that the opposing party has not fully complied with their duty to provide relevant information during the discovery process. Discovery refers to the pre-trial phase in which both parties exchange evidence and information related to the case. 2. Motion to Compel Deposition: If a defendant feels that the other party is impeding or avoiding their obligation to provide depositions (oral testimonies given under oath) of certain individuals who may have relevant information or knowledge about the case, a motion to compel deposition can be filed. 3. Motion to Compel Interrogatories: This type of motion is filed when the defendant believes that the other party has failed to respond adequately or completely to written questions (interrogatories) posed by the defendant. Interrogatories are a standard part of the discovery process in which one party asks the other party to provide specific information in writing. 4. Motion to Compel Expert Witness: When a defendant needs the opposing party to disclose information about their retained expert witnesses, including their qualifications, opinions, and related materials, they can file a motion to compel expert witness information. In summary, the Austin, Texas defendant's motion to compel serves as a legal tool used to request court intervention and require the opposing party to provide information, documents, or testimony that is necessary for a fair and just resolution of the case. The specific type of motion to compel filed depends on the nature of the non-compliance or the specific information sought by the defendant.