How to Get a New Court Date

Contact the courts to change your appearance date if you cannot make the scheduled date.

Maybe you're fighting a parking ticket, or perhaps another individual has summoned you to court to settle a civil matter. No matter the reason you are appearing in court, you must formally request a new court date if you cannot attend your scheduled date. This is called a continuance. While some courts allow you to change your court date by submitting a written request, others will require you send a representative in your place under certain circumstances. To determine the best course of action to take if you must change a court date, contact the clerk of the courts as soon as possible.

Instructions

1. Check the deadline for changing your court date. Some courts allow up to 10 days for you to change your court date. Others require that you appear before the scheduled date to request a change in person before the judge. Regardless of the deadline, notify other parties in your case of your intended change as soon as possible.

2. Draft a written request. Most courts will not allow you to request a change by phone. As such, you will need to mail or fax in your request if not made in person. Include your name, court date, case number, type of case, and date of birth for identification purposes.

3. Mail in any fees associated with the continuance request. Use a check or money order, but not cash so that you can track your check later.

4. Follow up with the court to ensure your request has been granted. Contact the clerk of the court who can assist you with the continuance request.

References

• City of Milwaukee: Change Court Dates and Filing Requests
• New York State Courts: Frequently Asked Questions
• Cook Country Court: Court Date Information
• Superior Court of California: Change a Court Date
• Houston Texas Courts: How Do I Change My Court Date?