What is a change of venue?

• A. A request to move a trial to a different location due to concerns about a fair trial
• B. A change of judge presiding over the trial
• C. A request to delay the trial for scheduling reasons
• D. A request to change the charges after the verdict

Answer: (A)

Change of venue means moving the trial to a different location so the defendant can receive a fair hearing. It happens when the current venue—like the county or district where the case is being heard—may not provide an impartial jury because of prejudice, extensive publicity, or other factors that could bias jurors. It focuses on where the trial is held, not on who presides over it, when it occurs, or what charges are involved. If the issue were about bias in the judge, or about delaying the trial, or about changing charges after a verdict, those would involve different procedures.