Legal Question in Traffic Law in Minnesota

Summoned to court for Hit and Run can I ask for a Continuance?

I got a letter in the mail several months after the occurance stating that I had be summoned to court for the violation of hit and run (property). My court appointment is scheduled for May 12th which I will most likely not be able to make. This is due to the fact that I just got a new job and need to work for another cupple of months before I can request time off. Also, I would like more time to prepare my case. What is the likely hood of them accepting a continuance if I have been summoned? How long of a continuance can I request?


Asked on 4/24/06, 1:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
David Kelly-952-544-6356 Kelly Law Office

Re: Summoned to court for Hit and Run can I ask for a Continuance?

In general, a week or perhaps two weeks is about the most a court will give you by way of a continuance of a first appearance.

You can't just not appear. An arrest warrant will be issued if you do that, and your chances of a good outcome are greatly diminished. Not showing up in court - that sounds like something a hit and run guy would do. Don't be that guy.

The best way to get more time is hire a lawyer. Assuming that this is a misdemeanor, an attorney could make the first appearance without you and schedule the matter for a pretrial conference. The pretrial conference could be down the road as far as two months. That could gain you most of the time you need before you have to actually show up at the courthouse.

These are serious charges. You should not be doing this without a lawyer. You can access my contact information at http://www.mn-dwi.com. Good luck.

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Answered on 4/24/06, 1:53 pm


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