Existing law establishes the requirements for a continuance to be granted in a criminal case, including a showing of good cause. Existing law defines “good cause” for this purpose to include, but not be limited to, cases involving specified crimes, including murder and domestic violence, and to apply when the prosecuting attorney assigned to the case has another trial, preliminary hearing, or motion to suppress in progress in that court or another court.

This bill would expand the list of cases that may support a finding of good cause to specifically include cases where a minor is detained as a material witness or is the victim of the alleged offense, and cases where the victim is 65 years of age or older at the time of the alleged offense or is a dependent adult.