When you are charged with a crime in Georgia, you are obligated to attend hearings and court dates. Sometimes, a medical emergency, stalled auto, or an honest belief that your hearing is scheduled at a later date will interfere with attending as scheduled. However, it is important to note that ignoring the issue can cause an additional charge to the one you are already facing.
It is normal to feel worried and panicked if you miss a court date for any reason. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help minimize the potential consequences and work to resolve the matter efficiently. With an experienced DeKalb County failure to appear lawyer from our firm, we could help correct the problem and focus on building a strong defense for your case.
If you miss a court date and do not contact the court to explain, the judge will schedule another hearing about why you missed the first hearing. Penalties are at the judge’s discretion, based on guidance from the U.S. District Court of Georgia, and can be a combination of the following:
A failure to appear charge can appear on your criminal record, so it is crucial to talk to a knowledgeable legal professional in DeKalb County for help resolving the issue.
A judge can order your bond forfeited and issue a bench warrant for a failure to appear. While this is serious, it is not as severe as an arrest warrant. Under a bench warrant, law enforcement officers do not actively search for you—for instance, showing up at your home or job. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 17-6-71, a judge will order you to attend a hearing, typically between 120 and 150 days after you fail to appear for the previous hearing.
Your information, along with the issued bench warrant, is entered into the state’s database. This means that if the police stop you for any reason, such as a burned-out taillight, you can be arrested. The state can suspend your driver’s license until you clear up the problem. To avoid this unnecessary stress, inconvenience, and additional involvement with the criminal court, let a DeKalb County failure to appear attorney help address the issue.
Life can be unpredictable, and navigating the criminal justice system can be overwhelming. If you are involved in a case, you understand the importance of attending all scheduled hearings. However, life’s challenges—like unexpected transportation issues, a sick child, or simply forgetting a court date—can sometimes make this difficult.
The court will hold you accountable when this happens, and you must clear the matter up as soon as possible or face heightened penalties and the likely loss of your driver’s license. Do not despair. If you have one or more outstanding bench warrants or the judge suspends your driver’s license, we will work with the prosecutor and court to rectify the problem. Our DeKalb County failure to appear lawyers are comfortable and formidable in the courtroom. Call now, and let us advocate for you.
Robert James Trial Attorney
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