Continuance Of Trial Date In Contra Costa
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Circumstances that may indicate good cause for a continuance include the unavailability of an essential witness (CRC 3.1332 (c)(1)); the unavailability of a party because of death, illness, or other excusable circumstances (CRC 3.1332 (c)(2)); or a significant, unanticipated change in the status of the case as a result ...
If the parties to a case are in agreement, it is more likely that the court will agree to change the hearing date. Even if the other party does not agree, you may still contact the court to request a continuance of the hearing date.
A “motion for a continuance” is a request asking the judge to make an order changing your hearing date. If the judge grants your motion, your court date will be postponed to a later time. For most requests for continuances, you must provide the judge with a suitable reason (“good cause”) for postponing your court date.
Ask for an extension in person, by phone or in writing before the due date. (See contact info on the Traffic Courthouse Locations page .) The Clerk can only give you one extension ("continuance").
If you need more time or can't attend your court date (hearing), you can ask to reschedule it. Unless you and the other side agree, you may need to give the court a good reason why you need to change the court date.
A party seeking a continuance of the date set for trial, whether contested or uncontested or stipulated to by the parties, must make the request for a continuance by a noticed motion or an ex parte application under the rules in chapter 4 of this division, with supporting declarations.
Generally, you can turn in a form to ask for a new court date and the court will make a decision and mail it to you. If the court date is less than 10 days away, though, you'll need to explain on the form why you waited so long to ask.
In all cases, the court shall postpone a trial, or the hearing of any motion or demurrer, for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, when all attorneys of record of parties who have appeared in the action agree in writing to such postponement.
What Is Considered a “Good Cause?” Either the defendant or prosecution needs more time to prepare for trial; The defendant became ill or experienced an unexpected life change; Witnesses cannot be tracked down or cannot attend the scheduled court date; The defendant needs more time to retain a lawyer;
Ask at least 10 days before the court date if possible Generally, you can turn in a form to ask for a new court date and the court will make a decision and mail it to you. If the court date is less than 10 days away, though, you'll need to explain on the form why you waited so long to ask.
