What is a continuance?

A continuance is a legal term that is used when a party in a case needs more time to prepare for a court hearing in West Virginia. It is a form of delay that is requested by a party to a lawsuit and it allows them to continue the proceedings at a later date. The continuance can be either voluntary or requested by the court. Voluntary continuances are generally requested by the defendant or plaintiff when they need more time to gather evidence or are unable to attend the hearing due to issues such as illness. When the court requests a continuance, this is often due to the fact that the court staff or the judge are overwhelmed or unavailable during the initial hearing date. In West Virginia, continuances may be granted for a variety of reasons, such as a change in circumstances for either party, scheduling conflicts, or the need for additional time to complete a task. If a continuance is granted, the court will set a new hearing date and all parties will be notified of the change. It is important to note that continuances can sometimes have consequences, such as an increase in court costs or the possibility of missing important deadlines. Before requesting a continuance, all parties should be sure to thoroughly consider the implications of the decision and the potential to delay proceedings in West Virginia courts.

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