---
title: "Can a defendant request a continuance in a Cook County DUI case?"
description: "Yes. Both defense and prosecution routinely request continuances in Cook County DUI proceedings. Common defense reasons include awaiting discovery, scheduling expert consultation, and pending..."
url: https://chicagoduilawyer.net/faq-items/can-a-defendant-request-a-continuance-in-a-cook-county-dui-case/
date: 2026-07-08
modified: 2026-07-08
author: "Chicago DUI Lawyer"
type: faq
lang: en
---

# Can a defendant request a continuance in a Cook County DUI case?

Yes. Both defense and prosecution routinely request continuances in Cook County DUI proceedings. Common defense reasons include awaiting discovery, scheduling expert consultation, and pending suppression motion preparation. Judges expect continuances on complex chemical evidence cases. However, the defendant must waive speedy trial time for each defense-requested continuance under 725 ILCS 5/103-5. The chicagoduilawyer.net brand carefully tracks speedy trial calculations because strategic use of the speedy trial demand can create prosecutorial pressure when key witnesses or lab technicians become unavailable. Continuance requests are tactical, not administrative, and every one carries downstream consequences.