How soon after receipt of a complaint may a defendant remove a case to federal court?

• A. Within 10 days after service of process.
• B. Within 60 days after filing the complaint.
• C. Within 30 days after receipt of the initial pleading or service of process.
• D. Within 90 days after the answer is filed.

Answer: (C)

Removal to federal court must be filed within 30 days after the defendant first receives notice of the case in a form that makes it removable. In practical terms, that means the 30-day clock starts when the defendant is served with the initial pleading (the complaint) or otherwise receives a copy of it. The window does not begin at the plaintiff’s filing date, and it doesn’t hinge on when the defendant answers or on later events unless those later events themselves trigger a new removal clock. If the case becomes removable later due to an amendment or another triggering pleading, the clock can start at the time that triggering paper is received. But the standard rule is 30 days after receipt of the initial pleading or service of process.