Missed A Court Date? Here's What You Need To Know
by Albane Francois
If you have been arrested recently, you know the struggle of trying to deal with not only the police, but also the courts. When you attend your first hearing, the judge will issue a court date on which you need to return. If you are issued bail or allowed to leave on your own recognizance, you have a responsibility to return. But what happens if you miss that court date? It's a lot more than an inconvenience.
Why Do You Have to Return to Court?
When you are released on bail, you sign a legal document that says you promise to return to court for your trial or a future hearing. The document states that missing a court date is a big deal. In fact, it is a crime that comes with extreme repercussions and could have negative consequences for you.
What Happens If You Miss Court?
Several things can happen if you miss court. For one, the court may simply note that you did not attend and then move the hearing to another time and date. If you fail to attend the second time, the court may take swift action against you.
In many cases, the court issues a warrant for your arrest. If the court issues a bench warrant with discretion, you may still have a chance to appear in court to cancel the warrant. Otherwise, you could find yourself with a bench warrant without discretion. This means you can be charged with failure to appear in court by a police officer. You can be taken back to jail right away to await your trial. You may not be issued bail again.
What Should You Do If You Miss Court?
If you miss your court date, one of the first things you need to do is consult with a criminal defense attorney. Failure to appear in court could come with a variety of additional punishments, including jail time, hefty fines, changes to the conditions of your release from jail, and suspension of driver's licenses. Your attorney may be able to help you limit these repercussions.
Staying knowledgeable about bail bonds is a great way to ensure you don't make a mistake and miss court. You can speak with a bail bond agent today to discuss the stipulations of your release if you have questions. You may find that asking questions ensures you don't make an innocent mistake that lands you behind bars. Acting sooner means you can make better decisions later.
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About Me
How many times have you put off making repairs around your home because you didn't have the money to make them immediately? Have those decisions caused even more repair bills because you waited to make the repairs? I have done this several times in the past, and, oftentimes, not making those repairs have cost me far more to complete because the damage spread. The whole reason I created my blog was to help others find the financing they need to make home repairs without worrying about choosing the wrong type of financing option. Hopefully, my hard-learned lessons will help you avoid the same struggles that I have undergone.