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Continuance
A continuance is a court-ordered delay that moves a scheduled hearing or trial to a later date.
What it actually is
A continuance is a procedural request by either party or the court itself to postpone a scheduled court event, such as a hearing, pretrial conference, or trial. It appears throughout a case when a party needs more time to prepare, locate a witness, or resolve a conflict, and the judge grants or denies the motion based on the circumstances.
Why it matters in your case
For someone facing a court case, a continuance can provide extra time to gather evidence, hire an attorney, or negotiate a settlement, which may improve your position. However, it also delays the resolution of your case, prolonging stress and potentially increasing costs.
The common misunderstanding
Many people mistakenly think a continuance automatically resets all deadlines in the case, but it typically only postpones the specific event; other deadlines like discovery cutoffs may remain unchanged unless the court orders otherwise.
Get the actual rule
Definitions are orientation; rules are authority
This page explains the concept. When it matters to your case, read the rule that governs it in your court — we hold Texas, federal and Washington court rules word for word, and every state's official resources are on the state pages. If someone cites a case at you, check that it exists first.
Related
Terms that travel with this one
General explanation, not legal advice, and not specific to any state — procedures and deadlines vary by jurisdiction and court. If you can get a lawyer or free legal aid, do: every real option.