When a person agrees or is summoned to appear in court at a specific time, they must honor that obligation as the presiding judge expects them to show up. Failing to do so is a criminal charge that carries significant penalties. Prosecutors and courts do not take it lightly.
Discussing your options with a qualified criminal defense attorney is essential when you have missed a court date. No matter the reason, it is crucial to understand that you still have legal rights. A Pickens County failure to appear lawyer like Christopher L. Jones could help you proactively approach your situation and let you know your available legal options.
What Are the Local Laws?
The type of hearing affects the consequences someone will face if they do not attend court. For court dates for non-criminal issues like traffic violations, child support hearings, or other low-level hearings, the issuance of a bench warrant may be the only thing that happens. With proper legal representation, these issues may be resolved without any additional charges. What could occur is a finding of contempt of court, which could result in additional penalties like fines, jail time, or other conditions.
Felonies and misdemeanors have more severe consequences if someone fails to attend their hearing. The penalty is usually a fine or prison time, with the penalties being more severe for a felony than a misdemeanor. Ultimately, it is at the court’s discretion. If you have failed to appear in court, attorney Christopher L. Jones could help you argue for a lesser penalty in Pickens County.
Helpful Action That You Can Take
There are several preventative measures that you can take to ensure you attend your hearing and avoid a bench warrant. You should immediately pencil in your upcoming court dates in your calendar. It is also helpful to ask a friend or family member to remind you about the hearing.
It is essential to tell your attorney when you cannot attend a hearing so they can mitigate any repercussions. That is because they may be able to excuse your absence. Solid proof of the reason why you cannot attend is also going to be necessary, like a doctor’s note.
Missing a Court Date
If you missed your hearing, contacting your attorney as soon as possible is essential. If there is a bench warrant for your arrest, your attorney will guide you through the actions you should take. They could also confer with the prosecutor on your behalf to see if they would consent to lifting the bench warrant. A skilled Pickens County attorney will work to get your bench warrant lifted after a failure to appear case, so you do not have to spend any time in prison.
Let a Pickens County Attorney Help You Understand Your Options Following a Failure To Appear Case
When you do not show up for a court date, you only create more legal problems for yourself. What originally started as a less serious criminal violation can incur more significant penalties when combined with a failure to appear offense. Therefore, seeking help from a Pickens County failure to appear lawyer is crucial.
Attorney Christopher L. Jones will work tirelessly toward obtaining a positive result, not only in the failure to appear charge but also for the first offense that landed you in court. Reach out today for a free consultation.
