Opinion ID: 1241931
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the denial of a trial continuance

Text: The defendant contends that the trial court abused its discretion in denying his request for continuance because he was unprepared for trial. We disagree. This case was originally set for trial on October 4, 1977, but was continued because of several motions filed by the defendant, including a motion to disqualify the trial judge and a petition for writ of prohibition in this court. [4] On October 6, 1978, the case was set for trial on February 5, 1979. At these pre-trial hearings, the defendant was personally present in court and, with advisory counsel available, had adequate opportunity to prepare for trial. Under the circumstances present here, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the defendant's eleventh hour request for a continuance. E. g., People v. Martinez, 190 Colo. 507, 549 P.2d 758 (1976); People v. McClure, 190 Colo. 250, 545 P.2d 1038 (1976); People v. Saavedra, 184 Colo. 90, 518 P.2d 283 (1974); People v. Peery, 180 Colo. 161, 503 P.2d 350 (1972); People v. Buckner, 180 Colo. 65, 504 P.2d 669 (1972); Leyba v. People, 174 Colo. 1, 481 P.2d 417 (1971); Johnson v. People, 172 Colo. 72, 470 P.2d 37 (1970). A defendant who has been given adequate opportunity and time to prepare for trial cannot complain if the court orders the trial to commence at the appointed time. See, e. g., Altobella v. Priest, 153 Colo. 309, 385 P.2d 585 (1963).