Everything You Need to Know About Failure to Appear

When an individual is legally required to show up for a court date and doesn’t appear, the judge might choose to issue a failure to appear (FTA) bench warrant. 

Regardless of the reason, an FTA can have serious consequences. 

What Happens if You Get an FTA in Florida?

The consequences attached to an FTA can depend heavily on the reason for your original violation. If you miss a hearing for a minor crime, sometimes the judge will issue a warrant with a bond to give you a chance to turn yourself in and get released with the anticipation that you learned your lesson and will show up to the next court date.  For more serious crimes, the judge may issue a warrant with no bond and you will be expected to turn yourself in to the jail and remain there until your case resolves. 

The risks associated with failing to appear for a court date can often be avoided by hiring an attorney.  Criminal defense counsel can waive your appearance at most hearings so that you do not need to attend.  It is important to ask your criminal defense attorney whether you need to appear at each scheduled hearing to be certain that the hearing does not require your attendance.  

Turn Yourself In or Hire an Attorney

Ignoring an FTA will sometimes make matters worse. To turn yourself in and get your bench warrant cleared, speak with your attorney or bail bondsman. If you don’t yet have an attorney, now is the time to hire one. 

If you hire an attorney after a missed court date, that attorney can file a motion to vacate the warrant or to set a reasonable bond so that you do not need to wait in jail.  

An experienced attorney understands the legal system and will help you avoid any further complications. For more information, call Shrader, Mendez & O’Connell at 813-360-1529 in Tampa, FL.