individual calendars, they develop a mechanism to help each other in these situations. In Inyo County, a two-judge court, the court generally uses assigned judges to hear all jury trials scheduled for more than two days, freeing the regular judge to take a more active role in settlement and avoiding the disruption of calendars for long trials. For more information contact Judge Dean Stout at dean.stout@inyocourt.ca.gov. Continuances are rarely sought and even more rarely granted Because they need to ensure that trial dates are fixed and firm, judges are extremely reluctant to grant continuances, and never grant them simply for the convenience of counsel. That both parties to a case stipulate to a continuance is never adequate grounds for granting a postponement. The specifics of continuance practice are governed by Penal Code Section 1050, set forth in full below. Section 1050. (a) The welfare of the people of the State of requires that all proceedings in criminal cases shall be set for trial and heard and determined at the earliest possible time. To this end, the Legislature finds that the criminal courts are becoming increasingly congested with resulting adverse consequences to the welfare of the people and the defendant. Excessive continuances contribute substantially to this congestion and cause substantial hardship to victims and other witnesses. Continuances also lead to longer periods of presentence confinement for those defendants in custody and the concomitant overcrowding and increased expenses of local jails. It is therefore recognized that the people, the defendant, and the victims and other witnesses have the right to an expeditious disposition, and to that end it shall be the duty of all courts and judicial officers and of all counsel, both for the prosecution and the defense, to expedite these proceedings to the greatest degree that is consistent with the ends of justice. In accordance with this policy, criminal cases shall be given precedence over, and set for trial and heard without regard to the pendency of, any civil matters or proceedings. In further accordance with this policy, death penalty cases in which both the prosecution and the defense have informed the court that they are prepared to proceed to trial shall be given precedence over, and set for trial and heard without regard to the pendency of, other criminal cases and any civil matters or proceedings, unless the court finds in the interest of justice that it is not appropriate. (b) To continue any hearing in a criminal proceeding, including the trial,
individual calendars, they develop a mechanism to help each other in these situations. In Inyo County, a two-judge court, the court generally uses assigned judges to hear all jury trials scheduled for more than two days, freeing the regular judge to take a more active role in settlement and avoiding the disruption of calendars for long trials. For more information contact Judge Dean Stout at dean.stout@inyocourt.ca.gov. Continuances are rarely sought and even more rarely granted Because they need to ensure that trial dates are fixed and firm, judges are extremely reluctant to grant continuances, and never grant them simply for the convenience of counsel. That both parties to a case stipulate to a continuance is never adequate grounds for granting a postponement. The specifics of continuance practice are governed by Penal Code Section 1050, set forth in full below. Section 1050. (a) The welfare of the people of the State of requires that all proceedings in criminal cases shall be set for trial and heard and determined at the earliest possible time. To this end, the Legislature finds that the criminal courts are becoming increasingly congested with resulting adverse consequences to the welfare of the people and the defendant. Excessive continuances contribute substantially to this congestion and cause substantial hardship to victims and other witnesses. Continuances also lead to longer periods of presentence confinement for those defendants in custody and the concomitant overcrowding and increased expenses of local jails. It is therefore recognized that the people, the defendant, and the victims and other witnesses have the right to an expeditious disposition, and to that end it shall be the duty of all courts and judicial officers and of all counsel, both for the prosecution and the defense, to expedite these proceedings to the greatest degree that is consistent with the ends of justice. In accordance with this policy, criminal cases shall be given precedence over, and set for trial and heard without regard to the pendency of, any civil matters or proceedings. In further accordance with this policy, death penalty cases in which both the prosecution and the defense have informed the court that they are prepared to proceed to trial shall be given precedence over, and set for trial and heard without regard to the pendency of, other criminal cases and any civil matters or proceedings, unless the court finds in the interest of justice that it is not appropriate. (b) To continue any hearing in a criminal proceeding, including the trial,