Failure to Appear

[anders]

How many times can a defendant make up excuses to have the trial postponed. The defendant that we are dealing with always has an exuse and keeps postponing the court dates. This in turn is costing us time and money due to having to take time off work. Do we have any recourse.

 

[dee_dub]

It's up to the judge. If it happens again, ask the judge to note the continued absences and the inconvenience and cost to you, and to make an order that the trial will proceed on the next scheduled date with or without the person.

Most small claims courts don't regularly grant costs, but this might be one of the egregious circumstances in which it might be appropriate.