Continuance is what a court may grant to delay proceedings until a later date. Parties in a suit or the judge themselves may wish to have a continuance granted in order to prepare for proceedings.
Valid reasons include personal emergencies, unavailability of essential evidence, and lack of legal representation. How do I notify the court? You can notify the court by directly speaking to the court clerk or filing a motion for continuance before the hearing begins.
Absolutely. You would just need to draft it and explain why you need the continuance.
A judge may be reluctant to grant a continuance if the defense still has sufficient time to prepare, or if the evidence is related to evidence that had been disclosed to the defense.
Yes, you can always ask for a continuance. However, it is within the judge's discretion as to whether or not to actually grant it. Typically judges are reasonably liberal with giving out continuances.
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;
If you have a court date and you are not able to attend, or if you must provide documents to the court and cannot meet the deadline, you must file a Motion to Continue and a Notice of Hearing. Your request for a continuance and hearing must be filed as far in advance as possible.
Yes. You must show up in Court and ask the judge for a continuance based on the fact you are seeking out legal representation. Depending on the Judge and County you are likely to get at least one continuance to seek out counsel.
An objection to a continuance should be clear and positive, though no particular form of words is required. Words such as “I object,” or “We want it tried,” are clear enough. Expressions such as “Well, we leave it up to the court,” or “I cannot consent,” are equivocal, and will not be taken as objections.
As I explained today, I need a continuance of the hearing on (date) . I ask you to reschedule because (reason): Please let me know by (date) if you will agree to a continuance. If you agree, please send me a letter or email that says that you agree to the continuance.