How to Ask to Change a Court Date

You can request a motion to change your court date.

A court date can be an inconvenience and interfere with other important matters in your life. Usually, court hearings are randomly scheduled through a software program on a computer system. The date that is set for your hearing is the day you are expected to appear. Not attending a court hearing could result in serious repercussions. However, it is possible to request that the court change a court date to make it more convenient for all parties involved.

Instructions

1. Ask the other party or his attorney whether he objects to rescheduling the date. If either objects, file your motion anyway, and the judge will decide whether a continuance is warranted.

2. Draft your motion. Include the caption, which consists of the parties' names, the case number, the court and the judge. Advise the court of the currently scheduled hearing and the new day and time you are requesting. Specify in your motion the reason you are requesting the continuance. Assure the court that the continuance is not meant to intentionally delay the proceedings.

3. Include a separate order for the judge to sign after he either grants or denies the motion. The order should include the caption, a sentence stating whether the motion is granted and a signature line for the judge.

4. File the motion with the clerk in the court where the hearing is scheduled. Send a copy of the motion to the other party. The judge will make his decision and a copy of the entry will be sent to you.

Tips & Warnings

• If the court denies your motion to continue you will be expected to appear in court on the originally scheduled day and time.

References

• Coconino Law Library and Self Help Center: Motion to Continue