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Motion For Continuance
A motion for continuance is a formal request to a judge to postpone a scheduled court date or deadline.
What it actually is
It is a written or oral request made by a party's lawyer (or a self-represented person) asking the court to move a hearing, trial, or other proceeding to a later date. It appears when a party anticipates being unable to proceed as scheduled, often due to illness, unavailable witnesses, or the need for more preparation time. A judge has discretion to grant or deny it, balancing fairness against the court's interest in keeping the case moving.
Why it matters in your case
For someone in a case, it can provide necessary extra time to prepare or resolve a scheduling conflict, but it also delays resolution and may inconvenience the court and the other side. The judge's decision can materially affect the pace and practical outcome of the case, so understanding this option matters when you face a date you cannot meet.
The common misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is that asking for a continuance automatically gets granted or that it simply 'buys time' without consequence. In reality, a judge must be convinced there is a valid reason, and a continuance only postpones the case—it does not dismiss or weaken it.
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.