A continuance is a procedure in civil and criminal litigation for postponing or delaying current or upcoming proceedings—often to locate a witness, or give the parties additional time to prepare for trial, or continue settlement discussions. A party may request the court grant a continuance, or the parties may agree to a continuance, which the judge generally must approve.
In Wyoming, a continuance refers to the postponement or delay of court proceedings in both civil and criminal cases. This legal mechanism allows a party to seek additional time for various reasons, such as locating a witness, further preparing for trial, or continuing settlement negotiations. To obtain a continuance, a party must typically file a motion with the court explaining the need for the delay. The decision to grant a continuance is at the discretion of the judge, who will consider factors such as the reason for the request, the length of the delay, and the potential impact on the judicial process and the parties involved. If both parties agree to a continuance, they can jointly submit a request, but it still requires the judge's approval. Wyoming's rules of civil procedure and criminal procedure outline the specific requirements and considerations for granting continuances.