A continuance changes the date of a court hearing or trial to a later date. If you need more time to get ready for a court hearing or trial, you may be able to get a continuance.The Judicial Council has created forms for requesting a continuance for restraining order cases. Generally whether or not to grant a continuance is within the discretion of the trial Court. An offdocket motion is any motion filed in a case not set on that particular day's docket. In short, there was no evidence he had undertaken any discovery in the eight months the case had been on file. Electronic portion of an original file in a pending or closed case shall be available for public inspection in the clerk's office. The defendant's or counsel's illness is good cause for a continuance, though the court may demand proof (including medical testimony). If your court date has already passed, you will need to provide proof of incarceration and appear in the Proof or Plea Court. The first factor is the length of time the case has been on file.