Circuit Court District Division Rules Table of Contents
A. All motions for continuance shall be in writing, signed by
the moving party stating the reasons therefor and stating that the opposing
party does not desire a hearing on the motion, if such is the case.
B. No motion for continuance shall be granted without a
hearing unless approval of the opposing party is obtained. The moving party
shall have the burden of obtaining such approval.
C. Agreement of the parties shall constitute a waiver of
hearing on a motion to continue; but notwithstanding agreement of the parties,
the Court shall exercise its sound discretion in granting such continuances.
D. All motions for continuance or postponement in a civil
action shall be signed and dated by counsel. Other counsel wishing to join in
any motion shall do so in writing. Each motion shall contain a certificate by
counsel that the client has been notified of the reasons for the continuance or
postponement, has assented thereto either orally or in writing, and has been
forwarded a copy of the motion.
E. In exceptional situations, motions to continue may be made
orally in accordance with these rules and shall be effective as such, but it
shall be the burden of the moving party to establish a record thereof by
confirming such request in writing. Only attorneys, police prosecutors, or
parties pro se, shall be permitted to continue orally.
F. In all civil cases, no motion for a continuance, grounded
on the want of material testimony, will be granted, unless supported by an
affidavit stating the name of the witness, if known, whose testimony is wanted,
the particular facts expected to be proven with the grounds of such expectation,
and what has been done to procure attendance or deposition, so that the Court
may determine whether due diligence has been used for that purpose. No action
shall be continued on such motion if the adverse party will agree that the
affidavit shall be received and considered as evidence in like manner as if the
witness were present and had testified to the facts therein stated; and such
agreement shall be in writing at the foot of the affidavit and signed by the
party or the attorney.
G. The same rule shall apply, with necessary changes, when
the motion is grounded on the want of any material document, paper or other
evidence of like nature; or in the absence of a material witness whom the party
deems it necessary to have upon the stand.
H. All grounds for recusal that are known or should
reasonably be known prior to trial or hearing shall be incorporated in a written
motion for recusal and filed promptly with the Court. Grounds for recusal that
first become apparent at the time of or during the hearing shall be immediately
brought to the attention of the judge. Failure to raise a ground for recusal
shall constitute a waiver as specified herein of the right to request recusal on
such ground. If a record of the proceedings is not available, the trial judge
shall make a record of the request, the Court's findings, and its order.
The Court's ruling on the motion shall issue promptly. If the motion is
denied, the Court’s ruling shall be supported by findings of fact with respect
to the allegations contained in the motion.