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Whether a judge has summoned you to court or you have received a citation from a law enforcement officer, your appearance is mandatory. If you miss a required court date, you could face additional charges that will only make your situation worse.
If you have missed a hearing, a Denver failure to appear lawyer may be able to help you. There are often valid reasons for not attending a hearing, including medical and family emergencies. With a skilled defense attorney’s help, you may be able to avoid a conviction.
An individual who is summoned to court in a criminal case and does not attend at the appointed place and time is guilty of failure to appear. Under the law, even being late by a matter of minutes represents a violation. In reality, judges generally give people some leeway for arriving late. It is never safe to assume that missing court will not have consequences, though, and notifying the clerk of an emergency as soon as possible is vital.
It is important to note that there are exceptions to this requirement. If you hire a criminal defense attorney, they could appear on your behalf at most hearings. You could avoid a failure to appear charge without having to miss work.
Learning that you have a warrant for your arrest for failure to appear can feel overwhelming. The good news is that judges frequently dismiss these warrants and the criminal charges that come with them. In this situation, you could benefit from relying on the guidance of a Denver failure to appear attorney.
Just like any other criminal charge, failing to appear in court comes with consequences. First and foremost, the judge has the power to issue something known as a bench warrant for your arrest. If the police stop you, they will take you into custody, where you may be forced to remain until you can go before the judge in your case.
Additionally, a conviction can lead to penalties that vary based on the type of underlying charge you faced. Missing court in a felony case can lead to jail time and fines. Misdemeanor failure to appear is not as serious, but it still carries the potential for fines and community service. Even missing traffic court can lead to costly fines. A lawyer’s help is essential if you have been convicted of failing to appear at a Denver hearing.
When possible, it is crucial to address your inability to appear in court before your scheduled hearing date. Every court is different, and some judges are more flexible about rescheduling than others. It may be necessary to appear in court early to formally request a new hearing date.
When you miss a court date because you had an emergency or simply forgot, your first call should be to an attorney. It may be possible to resolve these issues without the need for an arrest.
The best way to avoid a failure to appear charge is by working with a Denver attorney. They could appear on your behalf and also defend your rights during the entire legal process.
If you missed a court date and are currently facing a bench warrant, it is vital to seek legal counsel right away. Resolving these challenges is often possible with the help of a Denver failure to appear lawyer.
Do not take the risk of being arrested and making your underlying criminal charge even more of a problem. Call Petrash Law today and schedule a private consultation to discuss what to do next.