Preferences in setting date for trial: Party 70 years of age or older; party seriously ill; defendant convicted of crime punishable as felony.
1. Upon the motion of a party to an action who is 70 years of age or older, the court may give preference in setting a date for the trial of the action, unless the court finds that the party does not have a substantial interest in the case as a whole.
2. A court may grant a motion for preference in setting a date for the trial of an action if the court determines that based upon clear and convincing medical evidence, a party to the action suffers from an illness or condition which raises a substantial medical doubt that the party will survive for more than 6 months, and the court determines that the interests of justice would be served by granting the motion.
3. If a motion for preference is granted pursuant to subsection 1 or 2:
(a) The court shall set a date for the trial of the action that is not more than 120 days after the hearing on the motion; and
(b) The court shall not continue the date for the trial of the action beyond 120 days after the hearing on the motion, except for the physical disability of a party or attorney in the action, or for other good cause entered on the record.
4. If the plaintiff in an action seeks to recover damages allegedly caused by a defendant during the commission of acts for which the defendant is convicted of a crime punishable as a felony, the court may, upon the motion of the plaintiff, give preference in setting a date for the trial of the action. If the motion is granted, the trial of the action must, unless the court deems it infeasible, be held not more than 120 days after the hearing on the motion.
Last modified: February 26, 2006