Arizona Laws 8-530.03. Child placement; time limits
A. All parties, counsel and the court shall adhere to the procedural time limits established pursuant to this chapter.
Terms Used In Arizona Laws 8-530.03
- Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
- Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Writing: includes printing. See Arizona Laws 1-215
B. Procedural time limits established pursuant to this chapter may not be waived, extended or continued unless it is necessary for the full, fair and proper presentation of evidence. A continuance of a procedural time limit may not be granted if the delay is not in the best interest of the child.
C. A continuance beyond thirty days shall be granted only on a finding of extraordinary circumstances. Extraordinary circumstances include acts or omissions that are unforeseen or unavoidable.
D. A party requesting a continuance of more than thirty days shall file a motion for an extension of time setting forth the reasons why extraordinary circumstances exist. The motion shall be filed within five days of the discovery of the extraordinary circumstance. The court’s finding of extraordinary circumstances shall be in writing and shall set forth the factual basis for the continuance.
E. The court may not extend the procedural time limit prescribed by section 8-537 for a total period of more than sixty days unless the court makes a written finding that substantial evidence exists that the additional time is in the best interest of the child.
F. On motion of a party or the court, if it is determined that an extension of procedural time limits was due to a party’s disclosure violation or lack of due diligence, the court may impose sanctions on that party.