If you were sued in small claims court (defendant), or if you have already filed your claim in small claims court (plaintiff), you will have a date for your court hearing. If you have a good reason you cannot make the date of your hearing, you may file a request to postpone your case.
In California, if you are 10 or more days away from your hearing date:
- File a Request to Postpone Trial (SC-150) with the court OR write a letter to the court explaining why you need to change your court date
- Mail or give a copy of your SC-150/letter to other parties on your claim (they need to be notified that you are requesting a date change)
- Prepare a $10 filing fee (you may have to pay depending on if and when your claim was served)
You are less than 10 days away from your hearing date:
- File a Request to Postpone Trial (SC-150) with the court and ask the clerk to attach it to your file OR write a letter to the court explaining why you need to change your court date OR go to your trial and ask the judge for a postponement/continuance
- Include a good reason as to why you are filing your request so close to the hearing date
- Mail or give a copy of your SC-150/letter to other parties on your claim (they need to be notified that you are requesting a date change)
- Pay a $10 filing fee
After you send your postponement request:
- The court will respond to your request via Order on Request to Postpone Trial (SC-152)
- If the request is granted, the SC-152 or a similar notice will include a new trial hearing date
- If the request is denied, the trial hearing will be on the date it is currently scheduled and will explain why it was denied
- If you do not hear from the court, go to your scheduled hearing date
