Mandatory continuance for appointment/preparation of counsel: max 7 calendar days
7 days after date set for the jurisdiction hearing that was continued for counsel, under Welf. & Inst. Code 700; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.776(b)(2).
Rule text
The court must continue the jurisdiction hearing for: (1) A reasonable period to permit the child and the parent, guardian, or adult relative to prepare for the hearing; and (2) No more than seven calendar days: (A) For appointment of counsel; (B) To enable counsel to become acquainted with the case; or (C) To determine whether the parent, guardian, or adult relative can afford counsel.
Welf. & Inst. Code 700; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.776(b)(2), official source
Calculate this deadline
- Trigger (Date set for the jurisdiction hearing that was continued for counsel): Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 7 calendar days: Friday, November 13, 2026.
Welf. & Inst. Code 700; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.776(b)(2)
The court must continue the jurisdiction hearing for: (1) A reasonable period to permit the child and the parent, guardian, or adult relative to prepare for the hearing; and (2) No more than seven calendar days: (A) For appointment of counsel; (B) To enable counsel to become acquainted with the case; or (C) To determine whether the parent, guardian, or adult relative can afford counsel.Official source
Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 10, 133-135; Gov. Code 6800; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10. 'Judicial day' / 'court day': not defined in WIC or CRC 5.502.
CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a(a): "If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays." CCP 10: "Holidays within the meaning of this code are every Sunday and any other days that are specified or provided for as judicial holidays in Section 135." CCP 133: "Courts of justice may be held and judicial business transacted on any day, except as provided in this article." Gov. Code 6800: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CRC 1.10(a): "The time in which any act provided by these rules is to be performed is computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, and then it is also excluded." CRC 1.10(b): "Unless otherwise provided by law, if the last day for the performance of any act that is required by these rules to be performed within a specific period of time falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the period is extended to and includes the next day that is not a holiday."Official source
- Discretionary 7-day continuance also allowed to subpoena witnesses when the child denies an extrajudicial admission (5.776(c)). WIC 700: 'not to exceed seven days'.
- If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.
This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.
Worked example
Date set for the jurisdiction hearing that was continued for counsel on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Monday, March 22, 2027.
- Trigger (Date set for the jurisdiction hearing that was continued for counsel): Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 7 calendar days: Monday, March 22, 2027.
Notes
Discretionary 7-day continuance also allowed to subpoena witnesses when the child denies an extrajudicial admission (5.776(c)). WIC 700: 'not to exceed seven days'.
Related deadlines
- Delinquency detention hearing: before end of next judicial day after petition filed (1 court day after)
- Delinquency initial hearing (child not detained): within 15 court days of petition (15 court days after)
- Delinquency prima facie rehearing: within 3 judicial days of request (3 court days after)
- Delinquency jurisdiction hearing (detained): begin within 15 judicial days of detention order (15 court days after)
- Delinquency jurisdiction hearing (not detained): begin within 30 calendar days of petition (30 days after)
- Delinquency jurisdiction hearing (warrant case, not detained): 30 days after initial appearance (30 days after)
- Notice of delinquency hearing and petition (minor detained): at least 5 days before (5 days before)
- Notice of delinquency hearing and petition (minor not detained): at least 10 days before (10 days before)
Local rules by county
County local rules and courtroom procedures can add to or change this deadline. Pick a county to calculate with them applied.
- Alameda
- Alpine
- Amador
- Butte
- Calaveras
- Colusa
- Contra Costa
- Del Norte
- El Dorado
- Fresno
- Glenn
- Humboldt
- Imperial
- Inyo
- Kern
- Kings
- Lake
- Lassen
- Los Angeles
- Madera
- Marin
- Mariposa
- Mendocino
- Merced
- Modoc
- Mono
- Monterey
- Napa
- Nevada
- Orange
- Placer
- Plumas
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Benito
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Shasta
- Sierra
- Siskiyou
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Stanislaus
- Sutter
- Tehama
- Trinity
- Tulare
- Tuolumne
- Ventura
- Yolo
- Yuba
Rules current as of 2026-10-26. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.