
When you get charged with a crime, you’ll get assigned a court date. If you do not attend this court date, you are going to get into a lot of trouble. Maybe you had a good reason for missing it, or maybe you just forgot. It often doesn’t really matter why you missed your day in court and you could end up receiving additional punishments. This is why you need a Bergen County criminal defense lawyer on your side.
What Will the Judge Do If I Miss My Court Date?
The main worry is that the judge will issue a bench warrant when you miss your court date. This is the judge’s way of saying that you failed in your obligation and that you need to be arrested. Any officer can arrest you and you could be held in jail until your next hearing.
In many cases, the cops don’t even have to go out of their way to arrest someone. If someone has a bench warrant out for them and the cops happen to stop them for a traffic ticket, they can be arrested. Miss your court date and you have to be fearful of any interaction with law enforcement, even if you are the one in need of their assistance.
What If I Had a Really Good Reason to Miss My Court Date?
There are a few acceptable reasons to miss a court date. If you or a family member have a medical emergency, that can be a valid excuse. Getting into a car accident on the way to court might also be accepted. The judge is unlikely to accept reasons like:
- Traffic
- You forgot
- You had to work
- Your car wasn’t working
- You missed the notification about your court date because you moved and didn’t update your address
In any case, if you think that you are going to have to miss your appearance, you should try to reschedule. The earlier you try to do this, the better, and the court is going to have to see your excuse as valid.
What Punishments Could I Face If I Get Arrested?
You don’t just have to worry about being held until your next hearing if you get arrested. Missing your court date can come with additional penalties. Some common punishments include:
- A fine of up to $100
- A suspension of your driver’s license
- Forfeiture of any bail you have paid so far
Getting held in contempt of court can come with even higher fines. How severely you get punished for missing a court date can depend on a variety of factors, including your criminal record, how serious the charges against you are, and if you have a habit of missing court appearances.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you have been charged with a crime, contact the Law Office of Boyd & Squitieri to schedule a consultation. We can tell you more about what a criminal defense attorney can do to assist you with your case. Don’t make silly mistakes like missing your court date. Get a lawyer and start building a defense today.