No you can ask for a continuance beforehand. I feel like its actually better to ask before you get to court, because then you’re just wasting the judges time and your time to go to court to ask for a continuance.

IF they were to ask in court, normally, the court only pushes it out a week. This could be different because of the type of case this is.

Also, the plaintiffs can state that they(bowmars) are asking for continuances to keep pushing the court date back further and further. Sometimes defendants use this tactic in hopes the plaintiff will eventually settle or dismiss.

I feel like eventually the judge is going to get fed up with them asking for continuances. I know I would lol