Q: How do I get a Continuance for an ongoing Family Court case in NJ? And are my reasons legally legitimate?
What is the procedure for requesting a continuance in Civil Family Court in NJ?
I’m asking for a friend.
Also we need to know if his reasons for a continuance are legally legit:
He has two main reasons - 1) He needs more time to find legal representation. We have searched for months but can’t afford to pay a retainer. Legal Aid & other agencies we’ve contacted won’t take the case because he’s the “defendant”, and a man. The ironic truth is he’s the victim of domestic violence by the woman who accused him.
2 ) He has excruciating headaches due to a traumatic brain injury (which is a direct result of this family member assaulting him). His TBI makes it impossible for him to concentrate because the stress of it all makes his headaches even worse. He needs more time to get treatment. He needs to lay down for most of the day & night to rest his head & try to lessen the pain.
Where I can get information specific to NJ Family Law continuance? Search engines aren't helping.
A: If there is a matter pending before the court, you must contact the judge's chambers for the judge hearing the case and ask him to give you an adjournment. You can call the judge's chambers and ask to speak with the secretary or the judge's law clerk and provide your reasoning for the adjournment. You must also ask the other side first for their consent to the adjournment request. If they consent, it's easier to get it. If they do not consent, you still must ask them, and you must let the judge's chambers know whether they consent or not. Regardless of whether they consent, they will then tell you that you must put your request in writing, so you need to get the correct address and email for purposes of submitting your request for the adjournment.
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