When you are supposed to appear for a court date, the time scheduled may be inconvenient. If you cannot find child care, have a doctor’s appointment, or can’t miss work, it may not seem like a bad idea to skip the court date. After all, you can just reschedule, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, many assume that missing a court date isn’t as serious as it actually is. If you have missed your scheduled hearing, you should contact a Cobb County criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible, as you can face intense penalties for this. Keep reading to learn more about what happens if you miss your court hearing.
Is It a Crime to Miss a Court Date?
In Georiga, if you fail to appear, you can face additional consequences. Depending on the circumstances of your crime, you can face a fine and potential jail time, while other crimes will result in a bench warrant. This essentially allows the police to arrest you on the orders of the judge and you will remain in prison for the duration of your criminal trial.
In addition to more criminal charges against you, you’ll also lose out on your bail bond. When you are arrested and released on bail, it is on the condition that you will return for any scheduled hearings. At the conclusion of your case, regardless of the outcome, your bond will be returned. As such, if you do not appear, you relinquish your right to the money you spent on bail, which could be thousands of dollars. It’s also important to note that if you are arrested again in the future because you have a history of failing to appear on your record, you may be denied bail in the future.
It’s also important to note that if you miss your hearing for a traffic-related ticket or charge, you will also likely face a license suspension. This can impact your ability to get to work or bring your children to school.
What Should I Do if I’m Going to Miss a Hearing?
In the event you miss a hearing because of an emergency, such as being involved in a serious car accident on your way to the courthouse or ending up in the hospital the day before you’re scheduled to appear, the most important thing you can do is contact your attorney. Though the court is typically unforgiving for those who cannot appear, if you can prove circumstances out of your control prohibited you from appearing, they may not impose charges. However, having your attorney handle this communication is critical.
If you missed your hearing, you should still contact your attorney. They can call the court on your behalf to determine if a warrant has been issued, and if it hasn’t been, they may be able to work out an arrangement to have you appear as soon as possible to avoid an additional arrest.
As you can see, these matters can be incredibly complicated, which is why it’s in your best interest to work with an experienced attorney from Miller Law Practice as soon as possible. We understand how overwhelming these issues can be, which is why our firm is committed to fighting for you. Connect with us today to learn more about how we can help you.