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Motion for Trial Continuance

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DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR TRIAL CONTINUANCE

IN THE COURT OF COUNTY

STATE OF

NO.

Petitioner/Plaintiff,

Vs.

Respondent/Defendant

DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR TRIAL CONTINUANCE

COMES NOW DEFENDANT, , by and through his attorneys of record herein, and files this his Motion for Trial Continuance and would show unto the Court the following:

1. This litigation arises out of an automobile accident which occurred on the day of , 20 , between the Plaintiffs and , an employee of . The Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit on or about the day of , 20 .

2. Plaintiff, , sustained facial cuts in this accident which resulted in some facial scarring. This is the main aspect of her claim for personal injuries. subsequently sought medical treatment from a plastic surgeon, , who indicated that she could possibly benefit from two separate scar revision surgeries to help blend the facial scarring into the surrounding facial tissues. On the day of , 20 , underwent scar revision surgery performed by . 's deposition was taken on the day of , 20 , and he testified that 's facial scars look worse now than they did before the surgery because of the surgical incisions. also testified that the scars look worse now as a result of the surgery than they will look six months from now. further testified that it would take at least six months for the incisions and scars to heal in order to realize the full effect and benefit of the surgical procedure.

3. The accident in this case occurred on the day of , 20 . Despite this fact, waited until just three months before the trial to go in for the surgical procedure to her face. This was not an emergency surgery nor was it medically necessary or required. It was purely optional surgery. It is not fair to the Defendant for the Plaintiff to wait until right before trial to elect or choose to have a surgical procedure that makes her injuries look worse than they did before the surgery and worse than they will look after the full effect of the surgery has been realized, especially since it was not medically necessary at the time it was performed and indeed could have been performed after the trial. The Defendant submits that the surgery performed on was timed to coincide with the trial date in order to cast her injuries and facial scars in the worst light possible to the jury. The Defendant will clearly be prejudiced if he is required to go to trial on the day of , 20 , and the Plaintiff is allowed to mislead the jury into believing that her scars are actually worse than they really are, especially since the scars will look substantially different and much better only months after the November trial date. Allowing to create worse looking injuries by having elective surgery right before trial and then exhibit to the jury injuries which appear worse than they will be after the surgical wounds have healed, will result in a windfall to in the form of a higher verdict being rendered than otherwise would have been had the injuries been shown to the jury before the surgery or at least after the surgical wounds have healed.

4. The Defendant is not attempting to avoid a trial setting. To the contrary, the Defendant simply wants a level playing field with the jury being allowed to consider the true nature of Plaintiff's injuries and not an injury made worse right before trial by elective surgery, not by an action on the part of the Defendant, but by the Plaintiff's own hand and the hand of her surgeon. All parties ought to be concerned that justice and fair play wins out in this case and that the jury places an accurate and fair value on 's injuries, if a verdict is appropriate. Plaintiffs will not be prejudiced in any way whatsoever if this trial is continued since a new trial date can be obtained soon after Plaintiff's surgical wounds have healed. Therefore, respectfully requests that this Court enter an Order continuing this case from its present trial setting of the day of , 20 .

WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Defendant, , requests the Court to grant a continuance of the day of , 20 , trial setting in this case.

Respectfully submitted,

Dated:

Name:

Title:

Address:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone:

Fax:

E-Mail:

Attorney No.:

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, , do hereby certify that I have this day mailed, U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing to , at the following address;

THIS the day of , 20 .

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What a Motion for Trial Continuance Is

A Motion for Trial Continuance is a formal court filing that requests postponement of a scheduled trial or hearing. The motion explains the reason for delay, proposes alternative dates, and attaches supporting evidence or affidavits. Courts evaluate whether the moving party has shown good cause, considered opposing parties, and complied with local calendar and notice rules. Properly prepared motions state the legal basis, include a proposed order, and follow the court's filing format and service requirements to increase the likelihood of acceptance.

Why You Would File This Motion

A continuance protects client rights when unforeseen events prevent adequate preparation or attendance. It preserves the record, avoids default judgments, and provides time to obtain witnesses, expert reports, or medical documentation while notifying the court and opposing counsel.

Why You Would File This Motion

Who Commonly Files or Receives This Motion

Common users include plaintiffs and defendants, their attorneys, and self-represented litigants seeking additional time to prepare for trial.

  • Plaintiff counsel requesting postponement due to new evidence, witness availability, or scheduling conflicts.
  • Defense counsel seeking more time for expert analysis, client medical issues, or late disclosures.
  • Pro se litigants filing continuances when unexpected personal emergencies prevent appearance.

Courts expect timely notice and good cause; failure to follow local rules can result in denial or sanctions against the moving party.

Typical Roles Involved

Plaintiff Counsel

An attorney representing the plaintiff who prepares the motion, assembles supporting affidavits, certifies service on opposing counsel, and proposes alternative dates. Must comply with local court rules and demonstrate good cause to justify a continuance.

Defense Counsel

Defense counsel files a continuance motion when client unavailability, need for additional discovery, or health issues make trial attendance impossible. Must notify the court and opposing parties, and provide evidence to support the requested delay to avoid prejudice.

Essential Information to Include

Case Caption: Plaintiff v. Defendant exactly as filed
Court & Division: Full court name and division
Case Number: Enter docket or file number
Hearing Date Requested: Proposed date in MM/DD/YYYY
Grounds for Continuance: Specific reason and supporting facts
Supporting Affidavits: Attach sworn statements or exhibits

Risks of an Incorrect or Late Motion

Denial of Motion: Judge may refuse delay
Sanctions: Fines or attorney fee shifts
Prejudice to Client: Evidence or testimony lost
Hearing Availability: Bench may set immediate date
Increased Costs: Additional filing and prep expenses
Default Risk: Risk of judgment if absent

Common Preparation Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Filing too close to trial without emergency grounds often prompts denial; courts expect reasonable notice and documented good cause supported by affidavits or declarations.
  • Failing to serve opposing counsel or omitting a certificate of service leads to procedural rejection and possible sanctions for noncompliance with local rules.
  • Using vague reasons such as 'conflict' without details or evidence reduces credibility; supply specific dates, medical notes, or discovery timelines when applicable.
  • Failing to check local rules about proposed orders, e-filing formats, or required motion calendars can cause rejection or delay in grant consideration.

Step-by-Step: How to Prepare and File the Motion

Prepare the motion carefully, attach evidence, serve opposing parties, and comply with local court rules and filing procedures before submission.

  • 01
    Draft Motion: State grounds, proposed dates, and legal basis concisely.
  • 02
    Attach Evidence: Affidavits, medical records, or discovery proofs.
  • 03
    Serve Parties: Deliver via e-service, mail, or court e-filing system.
  • 04
    File with Court: Submit per local e-filing rules and pay fees.

How the Filing Process Typically Works

Filing a continuance follows defined steps: prepare the motion, serve opposing counsel, submit to the clerk, and await a ruling or hearing date.

  • Prepare: Draft motion and include supporting exhibits and affidavits.
  • Notify: Serve opposing counsel and file certificate of service.
  • Submit: File via court portal or clerk's office.
  • Decision: Judge issues an order or schedules a hearing.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Motion

A professional Motion for Trial Continuance includes clear grounds, precise dates, evidence, notice to parties, a proposed order, and compliance with local formatting and service rules.

Statement of Facts

Provide a concise chronological summary of facts showing why the continuance is necessary, including key dates, attempts to resolve scheduling issues, and a neutral explanation of prejudice without argumentative language.

Legal Basis

Cite statutes, rules, or case law supporting the requested delay and explain how the authority applies to your facts; include any relevant local rule citations and requested deadline extensions.

Supporting Evidence

Attach affidavits, medical documentation, deposition schedules, expert availability, or other documents that substantiate the reasons for continuance; ensure exhibits are authenticated and referenced in the motion.

Service & Notice

Show proof of timely service on all parties, include a certificate of service, and mention attempts to meet and confer or opposing counsel's position on the requested continuance.

Proposed Order

Provide a proposed order with new proposed dates and any interim conditions; courts often prefer receiving a clean order to expedite ruling when good cause is shown.

Formatting & Filing

Conform to local filing templates, page limits, signature blocks, and electronic filing requirements; include a concise caption and ensure CM/ECF or county portal rules are followed.

Attachments and Procedural Items to Add

Include standard attachments and procedural elements to make the court's review straightforward and minimize adjournment objections from opposing counsel.

Proposed Order

Draft a clean, signed proposed order specifying the new trial date or window, any temporary relief, and instructions to the clerk for entry to reduce work for the court.

Affidavit

Provide a sworn statement from counsel or an affected party detailing the reason for delay, efforts to avoid continuance, and attesting to the truth of attached exhibits.

Exhibits

Attach medical records, travel proofs, deposition notices, expert scheduling emails, or other documentary evidence labeled and referenced within the motion for easy review.

Certificate of Service

Include a completed certificate showing how and when opposing parties and the court received the motion, with electronic service entries or mailing confirmations as applicable.

Filing and Service Workflow Settings

Configure your filing workflow to match court requirements, set notification preferences, and ensure exhibit attachments and service proofs are included.

Field Configuration
Notification Method E-service | Certificate of service required
Authentication Email link | Court may require verified ID
Document Format PDF/A | Single-file with exhibits bookmarked
Service Proof Certificate | Include e-service log or mail receipt

Electronic Filing and Signature Requirements

Most courts accept electronic filings and e-signatures if local rules permit; confirm court rules before e-submission.

  • System Access: Court e-filing portal credentials required
  • Document Format: PDF/A or searchable PDF
  • Signature Acceptance: ESIGN/UETA recognized; check exceptions

How This Motion Differs from a Stipulation to Continue

Compare a unilateral or contested motion with a stipulation to illustrate consent, burden, and typical court handling.

Criteria Motion for Trial Continuance Stipulation to Continue
Court Filing Required
Consent Needed
Proof Standard good cause agreement sufficient
Hearing Likely sometimes rarely

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Features for Filing Workflows

Compare baseline eSignature pricing and common capabilities relevant to legal filings and service; signNow appears first in the vendor list by requirement.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Motions for Continuance

Common questions on timing, e-signature acceptance, service obligations, withdrawal, and what to expect if the court denies the motion.


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