When you are released on bail, you agree to attend all required court dates. Missing a scheduled court appearance also known as failure to appear (FTA) can lead to serious legal consequences, including additional charges, bail forfeiture, and even a warrant for your arrest. If you or a loved one is facing this situation, Ajua Bail Bonds will share why it is important to understand what happens next and what steps you can take to fix it.
Consequences of Missing a Court Date
A Bench Warrant Will Be Issued: If you miss your court date, the judge will likely issue a bench warrant for your arrest. This means law enforcement officers have the authority to arrest you at any time, whether at home, work, or during a routine traffic stop.
Your Bail May Be Forfeited: If you used a cash bail, the full amount may be forfeited to the court. If you worked with a bail bond company, the bondsman becomes responsible for the total bail amount. In response, the bail bondsman may hire a bounty hunter or take legal action against any co-signers.
Additional Criminal Charges: Failure to appear in court can result in additional charges. In many states, including California, missing court for a felony case can lead to an additional felony charge, while missing a misdemeanor case could lead to a misdemeanor FTA charge. This can increase potential fines and jail time.
Driver’s License Suspension: In some cases, the court may contact the DMV, resulting in the suspension of your driver’s license until you resolve the matter.
What to Do If You Miss a Court Date
If you accidentally miss a court appearance, acting quickly can help minimize the consequences. Here’s what you should do:
Contact Your Attorney or Bail Bondsman Immediately: Your lawyer can help file a motion to recall the warrant and reschedule your court date. If you used a bail bondsman, inform them immediately so they don’t take action against you.
Go to Court Voluntarily: The longer you wait, the worse it looks. If you appear in court voluntarily and explain the situation, the judge may be more lenient.
Provide a Valid Explanation: If you missed court due to an emergency provide documentation (hospital records or police reports to support your case.
Request a New Court Date: In some cases, you may be able to file a motion to have your court date rescheduled without additional penalties.
How a Bail Bondsman Handles a Missed Court Date
If you used a bail bondsman to post bail, they are financially responsible for ensuring you show up to court. If you miss your date:
• The bondsman may contact you and demand you return to court.
• They may send a bounty hunter to track you down and return you to custody.
• They can take legal action against co-signers or seize collateral to cover the bond.
Bail bond companies prefer to work with clients to resolve the issue, so communicating with them early can help prevent serious consequences.
Bail Bond Services in Clovis, Reedley, Sanger, Selma, Atwater, Los Banos, Merced, Visalia, Porterville, Tulare, Hanford, Corcoran, Lemoore & Greater Fresno, CA
Missing a court date while out on bail is a serious matter, but it’s not the end of the world. The key is to act fast, contact your lawyer, go to court voluntarily, and explain your situation. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse, leading to arrest warrants, bail forfeiture, and even new charges. For bail bond services, contact Ajua Bail Bonds today.
