How likely will I be able to get a continuance on my court date?
January 9, 2016 7:31 PM   Subscribe

I'm going to call the court on Monday, but wanted to know what you had to say: I have a court date for next Friday for a name change. Something big came up, and I'm wondering if I can get it postponed. How likely do you think it is I'll be able to?

I know you're NAL and NML. This is in Burbank, California. Long story short I broke up with my partner tonight and was hoping to leave town. Extenuating factor: she is changing her name at the same time, same courthouse. I'll be there if I have to, but I'd much rather change it for the future.
posted by lilies.lilies to Law & Government (2 answers total)
 
Best answer: IAAL, IANYL, I practice in California and have a lot of courthouse experience in Los Angeles, but not at the Burbank Courthouse.

This type of thing is very judge specific. You'll want to call the clerk of the judge in the courtroom you have the hearing in, and ask them. A name change isn't a criminal charge, or anything, so I doubt you'll get in any trouble for not showing. Your case will probably just be taken off calendar if you don't show.

The very worst outcome I can imagine is that you have to start the name change over again, but I find even that unlikely.
posted by bswinburn at 10:53 PM on January 9, 2016 [1 favorite]


Oh, one last thing. Clerks are very busy while court is in session, so you should call just as the court opens. Generally that's going to be 8:30am. The clerk should be there, but not yet actively dealing with the judge's requests. If you call 9:00am onward you're likely to go right to voice mail.
posted by bswinburn at 11:04 PM on January 9, 2016 [1 favorite]


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