Short Cause Law and Legal Definition
Short cause matters are those legal actions wherein a jury trial has not been requested and the trial time is estimated at one day or less. A short cause may be called on the "short cause" calendar and get priority on the calendar since it will not require use of a courtroom for a long period. Short causes may be subject to different or expedited processes than "long cause" matters, such as not requiring a settlement conference or having the cases tried by "pro tem" judges. However, if a supposed "short cause" lasts beyond one day the judge is authorized to declare a mistrial and the case will be reset later as a "long cause."
