Final answer:
In a motion for summary judgment, plaintiffs present evidence through sworn statements to demonstrate to a judge that there is no genuine issue of material fact, thereby requesting a judgment without a full trial.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a motion for summary judgment, the evidence upon which a plaintiff asks a judge to base his or her decision is typically presented in the form of sworn statements. These statements are key pieces of evidence that purport to show clear facts without any need for a trial, suggesting that even if all the opposing side's evidence is true, the moving party would still be entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. This procedure is designed to expedite the legal process by resolving cases that do not need to go to a full trial due to the lack of a genuine issue of material fact.
A summary judgment can be crucial in civil litigation where the plaintiff must prove the case beyond a preponderance of the evidence, a lower burden of proof compared to the criminal cases' beyond a reasonable doubt standard. If successful, a summary judgment avoids the time and expense of a full trial, allowing the court to efficiently adjudicate cases.