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Continuance
The postponement of a hearing, trial, or other court proceeding. The request can be made by one or both parties or by the presiding judge. Judges have the authority to hear cases and render decisions; this authority also allows them to grant continuances. Continuances are denied if the sole purpose is to delay the trial; there must be a justifiable reason, or the continuance could violate the defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial. If there are multiple defendants in the same case, a continuance granted for one of them automatically applies to all.