State Court Motion for Continuance - Connecticut

STATE COURT MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

(Connecticut Superior Court – Template)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ............................................................................................................................ 2
2. Motion ............................................................................................................................. 3

3. Memorandum of Law ..................................................................................................... 5
   3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 5
   3.2 Procedural Background ..................................................................................... 6
   3.3 Legal Standard ................................................................................................... 7
   3.4 Argument ............................................................................................................ 8
   3.4.1 Good Cause Under Conn. Practice Book §§ 14-23 and 14-24 .................................... 8
   3.4.2 Diligence and Absence of Prejudice ..................................................... 9
   3.5 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 10

4. Affidavit/Certification of [ATTORNEY NAME] ............................................................. 11

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER ..................................................................................................... 13
6. Certification of Service ................................................................................................ 15

1. CAPTION

DOCKET NO.: [DOCKET NUMBER]
SUPERIOR COURT
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF [DISTRICT] AT [LOCATION]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF [TRIAL/HEARING]

Return Date: [RETURN DATE]
Current Hearing/Trial Date: [CURRENT DATE]

2. MOTION

[MOVING PARTY], by [his/her/its] undersigned counsel, respectfully moves for a continuance of the [trial/hearing] currently scheduled for [CURRENT DATE]. [MOVING PARTY] requests that the Court reset the matter for [REQUESTED NEW DATE] or such other date as the Court deems appropriate.

This motion is brought pursuant to Connecticut Practice Book §§ 14-23 and 14-24, which govern motions to continue or postpone a case assigned for trial (including postponements sought because a material witness is absent or evidence is missing). Good cause exists because [describe detailed reasons, such as "lead counsel is engaged in another Superior Court trial", "critical witness is unavailable due to medical treatment", "additional discovery is required following recent disclosure"].

Undersigned counsel has conferred with counsel for [OPPOSING PARTY] on [DATE] regarding this request, and [opposing counsel] [consents/objects] to the continuance.

WHEREFORE, [MOVING PARTY] respectfully requests that the Court grant this motion and continue the [trial/hearing].

DATED: [DATE]
[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _______________________________
[ATTORNEY NAME] (Juris No. [NUMBER])
Attorney for [PARTY]

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Procedural Background

3.3 Legal Standard

Practice Book §§ 14-23 and 14-24 govern motions to continue or postpone a case that has been assigned for trial. The determination of whether to grant a continuance rests within the sound discretion of the trial court and "will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion." State v. Aillon, 202 Conn. 385, 394 (1987); accord State v. Hamilton, 228 Conn. 234, 239 (1994). "Every reasonable presumption in favor of the proper exercise of the trial court's discretion will be made." Ridgeway v. Ridgeway, 180 Conn. 533, 538 (1980). In exercising that discretion the court considers the diligence of the moving party, the reasons for the request, the length of the continuance sought, the number of prior continuances, the potential prejudice to the opposing party, and the effect on the orderly administration of justice — including the parties' compliance with the court's pretrial scheduling orders (see Practice Book §§ 14-13 and 14-14).

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Good Cause Under Conn. Practice Book §§ 14-23 and 14-24

3.4.2 Diligence and Absence of Prejudice

3.5 Conclusion

For the reasons stated above, [MOVING PARTY] respectfully requests that the Court grant the motion and continue the [trial/hearing] to [REQUESTED NEW DATE] or another date set by the Court.

4. AFFIDAVIT/CERTIFICATION OF [ATTORNEY NAME]

I, [ATTORNEY NAME], certify as follows:

1. I am counsel of record for [PARTY] in this matter.
2. The [trial/hearing] is presently scheduled for [CURRENT DATE].
3. A continuance is necessary because [state detailed facts supporting the request].
4. This motion is made promptly upon learning of the circumstances necessitating additional time.
5. On [DATE], I communicated with counsel for [OPPOSING PARTY], who [does/does not] consent to the relief requested.
6. The requested continuance is not sought for delay but to ensure a fair and efficient adjudication.

I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on [DATE] at [CITY], Connecticut.

__________________________________
[ATTORNEY NAME]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

DOCKET NO.: [DOCKET NUMBER]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v. SUPERIOR COURT

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant. JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF [DISTRICT]
AT [LOCATION]
[DATE]

[PROPOSED] ORDER ON MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

The Court, having considered the Motion for Continuance filed by [MOVING PARTY], and good cause having been shown pursuant to Practice Book §§ 14-23 and 14-24, hereby ORDERS:

1. The [trial/hearing] scheduled for [CURRENT DATE] is continued to [NEW DATE] at [TIME].

2. Related pretrial deadlines are extended as follows:
   a. Discovery cutoff: [DATE]
   b. Expert disclosures: [DATE]
   c. Dispositive motions: [DATE]
   d. Pretrial conference: [DATE]

3. The Clerk shall issue updated notices to the parties.

BY THE COURT

__________________________________
[Judge’s Name], J.

6. CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE

This is to certify that a copy of the foregoing was or will be delivered electronically via the Judicial Branch E-Services system and by [additional method, if any] on [DATE] to:

[List recipients and contact information]

__________________________________
[NAME OF DECLARANT]