Can a court case be postponed for up to 13 months?

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Can a court case be postponed for up to 13 months?

If I lose the case, I will lose my license for 2nd offence DUI. I have about 12 1/2 months left in college, and this could make be drop out because the school is 50 miles away. No one will drive me there for a year. Is there anyway to tie it up for a little over a year?

Asked on August 23, 2010 under Criminal Law, Tennessee

Answers:

M.S., Member, Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

Depending on local court procedure and practice, it is theoretically possible to get a criminal/dui case continued for approximately one year.  However, it will be very helpful for you to hire a criminal defense attorney to increase your likelihood of getting a series of continuances granted.  An experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to develop theories of defense that will take time to develop and therefore justify the request of many continuances.  Moreover, those defenses may end up being succesful!  In any event, if you attempt to represent yourself, you certainly run the risk of the court forcing you to enter a not guilty plea and then placing your case on the trial list, which will subject you to a more severe potential penalty if you are forced to actually try the case and you lose.


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