Generally, when you are charged with a criminal offense in California, it is in your best interest to do everything in your power to seek the best possible outcome. As such, you should abide by all terms and conditions established by the court to help avoid additional legal issues. Unfortunately, however, if you miss our court date, it can have a severe impact on the outcome of your case. The following blog explores what will happen in these circumstances, including the importance of working with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to help you navigate these complex legal matters.
What Will Happen Immediately Following a Missed Court Date?
When you miss a court date, generally, the first thing that will happen is that the judge assigned to the case will issue a bench warrant. As such, law enforcement is able to place you under arrest at any time, including at your place of work or home. A bench warrant can be issued regardless of how seemingly minor the original charges against you are.
Missing a court date is formally recognized as Failure to Appear and can lead to a considerable number of issues for your case.
What Penalties Will I Face?
Generally, when you fail to appear for court, you will be arrested by law enforcement. Because you did not appear when you were supposed to, the judge will likely order you to remain in custody until your next court date.
If you fail to appear, it can not only result in your arrest and your detainment until the next scheduled court date, but you’ll also find that this can impact your bail. When you post bail, the funds serve as collateral to ensure you abide by the terms and conditions of the court, which include appearing for all scheduled court dates. As such, when you fail to appear, the court will retain the funds, and you will not receive them at the end of your case.
You should also note that failure to appear can appear on your permanent record, meaning it will show up on employment and other background checks, potentially impacting your ability to secure employment or housing.
What Should I Do if I Miss a Court Date?
If you miss a court date in Georgia, it’s critical to immeidately contact an attorney as soon as possible. It is always better to resolve the issue before you are taken into custody by law enforcement. In some situations, such as getting into an accident on the way to court, being hospitalized, or the death of a family member, providing the court documentation of these extenuiating circumstances allows the judge to vacate the warrant.
Regardless, the most important thing you can do is contact an experienced attorney with the Miller Law Practice to help you understand your legal options and fight for the best possible outcome. Our dedicated team will explore all avenues to help you. Contact us today to learn how we can represent you.
