The Purpose of Courtroom Continuances

The purpose of a courtroom continuance is to permit a delay in proceedings, and the ultimate goal of a continuance is to ensure justice, by means of fairness and opportunity. Defendants are entitled to the efficient and fair trial of their case, and tend to benefit when a judge grants an adjournment. The purpose of a continuance is also to familiarize the lawyers and their clients with the case, which allows for them to be better prepared to present their case before a jury. In confidently giving clients the tools they need for a proper defense, we must also consider how this concept of continuity applies to students, and thus social pedagogic theory.

Courts tend to be procedural by nature, as a means of maintaining order. But what is the relationship between continuity in court and continuity in learning? Just as the courts rely on procedural fairness and order, we must employ pedagogy and education strategies that provide students with equal access to fair and orderly education. The world of law focuses on written procedures, but the education system revolves around visual and creative explanations. Education is based on voluntary invention of novel ideas, not just rote memory or repetition, and these strategies typically encourage freedom of thought so students may acquire knowledge and understanding, as well as exercise creativity. The judicial system seeks to train memory and order through strict adherence to procedural rules and regulations.

Under the pedagogy model, the instructor has content specific expertise, while the students are active learners, building upon previous knowledge and applying it to new knowledge. In other words, the process is two-fold. Students could benefit from similar philosophies, as they will not only be executing the instructions literally, but psychologically, mentally, physically and creatively demonstrating the procedures learned in class by applying this knowledge elsewhere. As procedural processes are executed continuously, the main goal of legal proceedings is the pursuit of justice. The recurring theme in social pedagogy is progressivism, evolution and continuity. The goal of education is not only to teach, but also to result in a positive change, or benefit, to society. By supporting students’ learning in whatever way necessary, the educator should be doing his or her part to create positive change. According to the comprehensive guide on how many continuances can you get in court, education aims to not repeat the past, and instead address the current situation to solve problems in the present and future.