Letter of Continuance

[momazda1]

My question involves traffic court in the State of: West Virginia

I live in an area right around pittsburgh. I am writing a letter of continuance to the magistrate building of dodridge country WV. I'd just like a little feedback please if this is a good start or not. All positive and negative feedback is very much appreciated!!!!

Request for Continuance
DATE: (dd/mm/yyyy)
TO: Clerk of Court (Name of Court)
(Court Address line 1)
(Court Address line 2)

FROM: (Your Name), Defendant (Your Title - If applicable)
(Your Address line 1)
(Your Address line 2)

DOCKET# (The docket number exactly as it appears on your subpoena)

I humbly submit this Request for Continuance as the defendant in the Traffic Court Case named above. The Court has issued a hearing date of May 13, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. I work for an auto dealership, and our owner is coming in for a big sale we are having that starts the day before my hearing. There is no way I will be able to excuse myself from work. Also, the fact that I work nearly 70 hours per week has left me little time to prepare the evidence I need for my case, which I planned on retrieving from West Virginia (more than a 3 hour drive from my home in Pennsylvania). I am requesting a continuance until after May 17th, when this scheduling conflict will be resolved.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Sincerely,

(Your signature belongs here)

(Your name)

cc: (The name of the Plaintiff’s representative, if applicable), representing (the Plaintiff’s name), Plaintiff

Didn't put in the details just yet just focused on the body for right now..

[blewis]

Did you try just calling the court clerk? Many courts (but not all) will grant ONE continuance over the phone. I'd try that first, it might save a lot of time and a postage stamp.

Barry

[momazda1]

Yes, the clerk made it clear that I must submit a letter to request a continuance. I have never been through this and I'm wondering how my letter will look in the eyes of the court.

[blewis]

It will probably be fine -- unless the court REQUIRES a specific "motion" format for pleadings. Plus, I would change "humbly" to "respectfully". If you want to be a little more formal, you can try this: I've published a Discovery Request for use in WA state that uses a "pleading" format. You can find it here. When the "Create you free account" screen appears, wait 5 seconds. It will change to offer you "high speed" download and "slow" download. Click SLOW download.

You should be able to adapt the form to your own state, county, court, and so on. Change the title from "Request for Discovery" to "Motion for Continuance". Under that type "(CLERK'S ACTION REQUIRED)" (include the parentheses, not the quotation marks).

Good luck,
Barry