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Continuances allow extra time to prepare for a hearing or trial, find a witness, or hire an attorney. Learn what a defendant must show to get a court date pushed back. Judges may grant continuances in criminal cases, but only when a party shows good cause for needing the delay.

Sufficient Cause: The prosecutor or the defendant may request a continuance for cause. The request must be in writing, but it does not have to be a sworn affidavit. It must state fully the reason or cause for the motion. The judge determines if the motion contains sufficient cause to grant a continuance.

Filing the Documents Take the original and two (2) copies of the Motion to the Civil Division of the Clerk of Superior Court's office in the county where your case is filed. The Clerk will stamp each Motion “filed,” place the original in the Court file and return two (2) copies of the “filed” document to you.

If you want to file a motion, the process is generally something like this: You write your motion. You file your motion with the court clerk. The court clerk inserts the date and time your motion will be heard by the judge. You “serve” (mail) your motion to the other side.

What is a continuance? A continuance changes the date of a court hearing or trial to a later date. You can ask a judge for a continuance by filing a motion for continuance.

You file a motion by completing the form and filing it with the same court that signed the default entry or default judgment. There is a $20 motion fee for filing a motion to set aside default.

A valid emergency can serve as an excuse for missing a court date. Some examples of legitimate emergencies include: An emergency room visit for a sudden, debilitating medical condition. A sick child.