How many times can a judge reschedule a court date?
Asked by: Helen Funk | Last update: January 22, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (41 votes)
There is no magic number of times you can ask. It depends on the judge and the reason for the request. You can't keep going to court asking for a continuance for the same reason over and over again.
How many times can you reset a court date?
Court-appointed attorneys can usually request up to three resets, while private defense attorneys have the capacity to request one more, totaling four resets. After reaching these limits, any further reset requests need to go directly to the judge, requiring evident justification for the additional delay.
How many continuances are allowed in court?
Typically, there's no limit on the number of continuances that a defendant can request. That said, a judge won't look favorably on repeated requests, especially if they appear to be delay tactics. Repeated requests, made without good cause, will be denied. (The judge could also reprimand the lawyer.)
Why does my court date keep getting pushed back?
There could be a number of reasons why your court date keeps getting postponed. The most likely is that the DA's office is requesting further information from the law enforcement agency that arrested you, is requesting that the agency investigate further, or has just not gotten around to filing the complaint.
Why do they keep changing my court date?
Other times, each side might have requested a delay for its own reasons at various times - for example, an attorney might need time to gather more evidence, or a witness might not be available for trial on that date, or there might be a scheduling conflict.
CAN YOU CHANGE OR RESCHEDULE A COURT DATE FOR A TRAFFIC TICKET?
How many times can a deposition be rescheduled?
Generally, a judge will allow at least two or three adjournments before demanding the depositions go forward. Another reason a deposition may get adjourned would be to gather the necessary medical records for the deposition.
Why would a judge keep continuing a case?
Perhaps the most common reason for a continuance is when one side did not have enough time to investigate the case and analyze the evidence. Many defense attorneys, especially public defenders, can move only so quickly because they are representing many clients.
How long can an arraignment be postponed?
If the defendant has already been arrested and is in jail, then the arraignment must happen within 48 to 72 hours. If not, it can take anywhere from a few days to weeks, which could violate the defendant's constitutional rights. In general, these steps are what you can expect at an arraignment in the US.
How many times do you have to go to court?
Some people only have to show up for court one time—when they enter a plea. Others may have to show up several times if the case is set for trial. However, you will rarely have to show up more than three or four times.
What are good reasons to ask for a continuance?
What are valid reasons for requesting a continuance? Valid reasons include personal emergencies, unavailability of essential evidence, and lack of legal representation.
What is the strongest form of evidence against a defendant?
Direct evidence carries significant weight in a trial as it leaves little room for doubt or interpretation. It provides a strong basis for establishing the guilt of a defendant and can significantly impact the outcome of a case.
What happens if you have two court dates at the same time?
If the court is not aware that a party has two court appearances in two courts at the same time, the party risks having the case called and either (1) losing whatever the hearing is about if it's a civil matter; or (2) having a warrant issued if it's a criminal matter.
How many times can you reschedule a court date?
There is no magic number of times you can ask. It depends on the judge and the reason for the request. You can't keep going to court asking for a continuance for the same reason over and over again.
Is a continuance a good thing?
Is a continuance a good thing? A continuance can be beneficial if it allows for a more prepared and fair presentation of a case.
Can a motion for continuance be denied?
In a Nutshell: A judge may deny a Motion to Continue filed by the prosecution, even if it foreseeably means a motion to suppress may be granted, resulting in dismissal of the case.
Do you go to jail at arraignment?
Yes, you can absolutely go to jail at an arraignment in California. An arraignment is the first court appearance after an arrest.
Why does my arraignment keep getting pushed back?
Sometimes an attorney will push an arraignment back to give the attorney more time to negotiate a plea bargain early on the case. Some prosecutors have a policy of making their best offer before arraignment -- and increase the offer after that.
How many times will a judge grant a continuance?
It depends on the court, but the judge will usually grant a continuance at your first court date with no questions asked. By the second court date, the judge may be reluctant to grant another continuance but he probably will do it. Don't expect another continuance after the first two.
How do you know if your case will be dismissed?
Some signs we look for are a lack of physical evidence, gaps in the chain of custody of evidence, contradictory eyewitness accounts, or witnesses who lack credibility. If the prosecution's case is built on a shaky foundation, they often realize a dismissal or plea deal is their best option.
Do judges ever reconsider?
The request for reconsideration must clearly show an error of fact or law material to the decision. The Judge may also reconsider a decision on his or her own initiative.
What is the 7 hour deposition rule?
Unless otherwise stipulated or ordered by the court, a deposition is limited to 1 day of 7 hours. The court must allow additional time consistent with Rule 26(b)(1) and (2) if needed to fairly examine the deponent or if the deponent, another person, or any other circumstance impedes or delays the examination.
How do you know if a deposition went well?
Consistency and Clarity
If you notice the opposing counsel asking similar questions differently, they may be trying to elicit inconsistencies in your testimony. Maintaining consistency and clarity throughout, despite any attempts to confuse you, suggests your deposition went well.
What happens if you ignore deposition?
Contempt of Court: When refusing to comply with a deposition, you will likely be held in contempt of court.