Bancstac

Just like picking out the newest, hottest designer collection, getting a continuance in court can’t be done without a little insider’s knowledge and strategy. What is a continuance? In simple terms, it’s the legal process of postponing a court date with a new one set for a later time. So as a sassy style aficionado, how does this legal process relate to the such ensembles as a slim-fit, pink cord jacket from Bancstac or the latest in comfy-cool hoodies? Read on to get the scoop.

A ‘continuance’ is a fancy legal term for rescheduling a court date for a later date. This tactic, used by all attorneys, can help with preparing a case better or simply rescheduling due to mistakes made, like scheduling a hearing on Christmas day. To get a how many continuances can you get in court, you need to consider the legal strategy involved with a continuance. This task involves more than just calling up the judge’s office and asking for one. However, to get a better idea of the process first, let’s consider the fashion-forward people of the world.

Here is how you need to treat each court date. Just as you wouldn’t step out in the first ensemble available in your closet, you shouldn’t rush into the courtroom without any preparation at all. A continuance is one of the most basic but yet crucial preparation tools available to you. For both style and court purposes, you have to plan. Each case is a little bit different and requires its own unique strategy; so in essence, who you are as a person and what your particular style is like impacts what actions you take in court.

Now let’s take a look at the variables in play. Each of these factors, both internal and external, carry their own influence as to how many continuances you can get in court. Here is a list for your consideration:

Each court has a different vibe, even if it is only slightly different. Each judge has their own preferences, the same as each design house has their own unique style. Now think about the progression of style in the fashion industry. One year, it’s Marc Jacob’s turn to get headlines; the next year it’s Ralph Lauren or Luly Yang’s turn to garner praise. It is much the same way when it comes to the court system. And, of course, just like the runway-to-retail pipeline, there are sometimes bumps in the road that necessitate the use of a continuance to get the desired results.

Here’s an example: Your client is accused of drag racing. The actual incident occurred in August, but paperwork for the offense did not get handled until September. However, for some reason, no one in law enforcement filed the necessary paperwork to bring the matter to court until December. Well, guess what? Should you choose to represent your client, it will be your job to let the court know that the processing of paperwork after the incident is not fair to you or your client. You would then file a motion requesting a continuance or a review, or you might even ask for the case to be dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct. Always remember that your approach will depend on your approach, and you must develop your strategy accordingly. No clothing line gets away with simply trying to avoid the issue; they have to face it head-on first.

So, moving forward with the analogy in mind, let’s say you are requesting a continuous hearing. The fit of your request, whether it is for a standard hearing or a jury trial, must be perfect. In terms of fashion, you can’t wear a baggy outfit to a fall runway show. Likewise, you would not need the same attire someone else may wear to a charity gala. It’s all about the appropriateness of what you request when it comes to a court progression. Do you want something easy to wear, or are you open to experimenting with all that’s unusual? Do you need something durable that will resist the test of time or something unique that will make you stand out in a crowd? Exactly how you answer these questions will determine how effective your continuance is.

As a quick aside, you may have heard a rumor or two that it’s hard to get a continuance granted in court. Well, there is some truth to it. Some court systems are very stingy about granting extended court times, which explains why it is still good strategy to keep the possibility of a continuance in perspective. For example, Chicago has a tradition of doing just the opposite when it comes to court procedures. Essentially, this is because they embrace the idea that each court system is different. There are also fads in the courtroom, just as there are in fashion. If suddenly everyone is getting a continuance when they request one, attorneys are probably going to talk amongst themselves about how to deal with it, which is when strategy becomes important.

The importance of the ‘fit’ is no less crucial in practice than in theory. Depending on your personal style, for the most part, you can get away with more in a courtroom than you could on Wall Street. By keeping the idea of the current fashion trends in mind, you can make the best impression on the judge while ensuring they see how appropriate your request for a continuance is, thus increasing the chances you’ll be able to secure the extra time you need in court.

For more information on court procedures, you can visit the U.S. Courts website.