Failing to appear in Court is a serious offense which may render harsh repercussions, including a judge issuing a warrant for your arrest, causing you to remain incarcerated until your case is resolved. These consequences may be more severe if you have been released on bond for Felony charges.
Whether you forgot your Court date or experienced an emergency that prevented you from appearing in Court, you should take immediate steps to address a failure to appear accusation. A Lake Worth failure to appear Lawyer may be able to work with you towards achieving the best possible outcome for your case. Contact one of our skilled Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert to get started on your case today. En Español.
Consequences of a Failure to Appear in Fort Worth
Aside from an arrest warrant, you may face additional penalties for failing to appear in Court. If you previously posted a bond in a criminal case, you may forfeit that bond, which means that you would not receive any amount of the bond back following the conclusion of their criminal proceedings.
If you fail to appear in Court, you may also face a separate criminal charge. The severity of this charge depends on the severity of the criminal charge that is already pending. For example, failing to appear for a Misdemeanor criminal charge could result in a first-degree Misdemeanor charge. If you are facing a first-degree Misdemeanor charge, you could receive a sentence that includes up to one year in jail and payment of a $1,000 fine, in addition to any penalties for the underlying criminal charge.
Likewise, failing to appear for a Felony criminal charge can result in a third-degree Felony charge for failure to appear. For a third-degree Felony conviction, you may serve up to five years in prison and have a maximum $5,000 fine. These penalties are in addition to any penalties that you received for the already pending Felony charge. Considering the harsh penalties for failing to appear in court, you should contact a Lake Worth failure to appear Lawyer for help with mitigating the potential ramifications of this offense.
Resolving a Failure to Appear Charge
Rather than waiting for police to carry out an arrest warrant, you should be proactive in dealing with your criminal charge for any failure to appear in Court. Whether you have a valid reason for not showing up to Court or you made a simple mistake, a Lake Worth failure to appear Lawyer may be able to file a motion with the Court or reach an agreement with the prosecutor to resolve the outstanding warrant without suffering harsh consequences such as spending time in Jail.
Contact a Lake Worth Failure to Appear Attorney
Wondering about the likelihood of being arrested after failing to appear in Court on a given date can be overwhelming and unsettling. However, a Lake Worth failure to appear Lawyer may be able to help you minimize or avoid some of the potential outcomes in this situation. In addition, by retaining the services of an experienced lawyer, you may be increasing your chances of receiving a favorable result. To get started on your case, contact one of our Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert today.
