It is against the law to ignore an order to appear court, no matter what the reason. There are various penalties that are associated with failure to appear, depending on the seriousness of the case. Even for failing to appear as a witness or failing to fulfill an obligation for jury duty can earn you a bench Warrant, bring fines and more.
Consequences of Failing to Appear in Court
Not only is it illegal to ignore or miss a required court appearance, it is one thing that most judges consider a serious offense. Unless there is a very good reason, there can be serious consequences, ranging from fines, to jail time, to arrest, and even a suspended driver’s license, depending on the type of appearance and the laws in each state or Jurisdiction.
Small Claims
Those who miss a required date in small claims court will generally only face default on their case or, if they are the Plaintiff, dismissal.
Traffic Court
Failure to appear in traffic court can be a much more serious matter. Generally, those who fail to appear for a court date related to a traffic violation can result in a number of consequences:
- Arrest warrant
- Fines
- Jail sentences
- Forfeiture of Bail or bond
- Suspended driver’s license
Family Court
When someone fails to appear for a required court date in family court, it can be a serious offense, as well. There are a few consequences that a judge may choose, depending on the nature of the court appearance and the past history of the offender:
- Contempt of Court charges
- Fines
- Jail time
DUI Court
Those who fail to appear in court for a DUI charge may face serious consequences for that offense, including:
- Arrest warrant
- Suspended driver’s license
- Fines
- Jail time
- Forfeiture of bail or bond
Civil Case
The consequences for failing to appear in a civil case can vary, depending on whether the offender is the plaintiff or the Defendant. As in civil case, if the plaintiff fails to appear, the case will generally be dismissed. For the defendant, the case will generally be decided without their input or defense.
Help from a Lawyer
In any of these types of situations, it is important to contact a lawyer to help relieve some or all of the consequences of a failure to appear. In some cases, if the lawyer can present a good reason for that failure to appear, the case may be postponed with few consequences. That will rarely happen, however, without the help of a good attorney in your corner.
