What Happens if a Defendant Doesn’t Appear in Court?

by | Apr 28, 2017 | Legal Services

Facing criminal charges and being required to go to court are very serious matters. If a person fails to appear before a judge in the state of Georgia, they could face penalties above and beyond those for the first offense. A local bail bondsman knows that court appearances can be intimidating, but they stress the importance of appearing on time. Below, clients can learn what happens if they don’t show up in court.

The Kind of Offense Can Have an Effect

The offense a person commits can affect the punishment they receive for failure to appear in court. For example, if one faces misdemeanor charges, they will face an additional misdemeanor charge for not coming to court. If a defendant faces felony charges and they don’t go to court, they will get another felony charge. This can add time to a prison sentence and it can result in heavy fines and additional sanctions.

What Happens When the Defendant is Caught

If a person misses a court date, a warrant is issued for his or her arrest. Even if the defendant has an old warrant for failure to appear, they can still be apprehended and arrested. There’s no statute of limitations on such charges, and law enforcement databases can be searched from all parts of the country. When a defendant is apprehended, working with a company that offers 24 Hour Bail Bonds in Atlanta is recommended.

How to Handle a Missed Court Appearance

If a client misses a court date, it is important to take prompt action. While it’s likely that the client will still face some sort of punishment, working with the local court to resolve the issue can sometimes result in a reprieve. In every case, it is imperative to arrive on time, appropriately dressed and to behave in a way that reflects the seriousness of the situation.

With years of experience in providing 24 Hour Bail Bonds in Atlanta, local bondsmen are committed to offering top-quality service to clients at a particularly vulnerable time in their lives. Clients can visit the website to learn more or call the office to talk to a bonding agent.

Recent Articles

Categories

Archives