2024-03-04T06:26:54
Going to court can be an intimidating and nerve-wracking experience. You may be tempted to skip your scheduled court date to avoid the stress and uncertainty. But not showing up can cause much bigger problems down the road. Missing a single court appearance can spiral into a complicated legal mess.
At Right Law Group, we’ve seen many well-intentioned people make this mistake. They let anxiety get the better of them, thinking the court date will just go away. Unfortunately, that’s not how the legal system works. There are real consequences for missing court that you can’t ignore.
You Could Have a Bench Warrant Issued for Your Arrest
One of the most serious risks of failure to appear in Colorado is having a warrant issued for your arrest. According to Colorado law, if you fail to appear for a scheduled court date, the judge can immediately issue a bench warrant .
This isn’t just a symbolic gesture. The warrant gives police across the state permission to arrest you on sight.
Imagine getting pulled over for a busted taillight and ending up in handcuffs because of a warrant you had no clue about. It happens more often than you’d think.
The point is, once there’s a warrant with your name on it, you’re living on borrowed time. As soon as you interact with law enforcement for any reason, you could be arrested on the spot. It’s critical to avoid warrants by showing up to all court dates.
Your Driver’s License Could Be Suspended or Revoked
Not only will law enforcement be on the lookout, but the Colorado DMV will be notified of your failure to appear as well. This notification often leads to suspension or revocation of your driver’s license by the DMV.
They take action to punish those who miss court dates for serious traffic violations like DUIs, vehicular homicide, hit-and-run, or reckless driving.
License suspension doesn’t just affect you – it can disrupt your entire family. Without driving privileges, you may not be able to take your kids to school, get to work to provide for your family or handle essential errands. The ripple effects of suspension make court attendance critical – failure to appear could upend the lives of your loved ones.
Your Bail or Bond Money Will Be Forfeited
In some situations, courts require you to post bail or work with a bondsman to stay out of jail pending trial. Not showing up to court is one of the fastest ways to kiss that money goodbye.
Under Colorado law, if you’re out on bail and miss a court date, the court will confiscate your bail amount immediately. That money is intended to guarantee your appearance. Once you violate that agreement, they can seize it, no questions asked.
The same goes for bondsmen. The bonding company will have guaranteed your bond to the court, usually requiring collateral from you like a house or car. When you fail to appear, that company is on the hook for the full amount of the bond. The bondsman will then come after you to recoup that money.
The financial impacts compound the legal ones. Make sure you know the court date and time to avoid losing your hard-earned money.
Your Probation Can Be Revoked
If you’re currently on probation , missing a court date can derail your progress. Probation is a privilege that keeps you out of jail, but one condition is showing up when the court orders it.
Skip a court date while on probation, and Colorado will haul you in for a probation revocation hearing. The judge decides whether to give you another chance or formally revoke your probation.
Revoked probation means probation is canceled, and you must serve alternative penalties instead. This can include fines, community service, or even jail time for the original offense that landed you on probation. Essentially, missing court while on probation breaks the leniency agreement with the court.
New Criminal Charges Are Possible
If you miss a court date, the DA’s office can actually file new standalone criminal charges against you for failure to appear. This is especially likely if you’re out on bail when you miss court. Prosecutors can seek charges for bail jumping under C.R.S 18-8-212 .
Here’s what you should know:
• If you are out on bond for a felony charge and you intentionally fail to appear in court, you can be charged with a felony. The penalty is 1 year in prison minimum, consecutive to your sentence for the original felony.
• If you are out on bond and fail to appear in a case where victims or witnesses are present, you can be charged with a misdemeanor. The penalty is 6 months in jail minimum, consecutive to your sentence for the original charge.
• There are stricter penalties if the original charge was for a sex offense. You cannot receive probation or a suspended sentence. The penalty is 1 year in prison minimum, consecutive to your sex offense sentence.
Beyond the initial punishment, you will also face increased bail for future criminal cases, mandatory monitoring, and restricted travel in some cases. Not an ideal outcome for missing court.
Don’t Let Anxiety Stop You from Appearing
We know court can cause serious stress and anxiety. But giving in to fear and not showing up will only make matters worse. Right Law Group can help you face court with confidence, avoiding the nightmares that stem from failure to appear.
If you have an outstanding warrant or upcoming court date that intimidates you, reach out now. Our attorneys will stand by your side, making sure you avoid the serious penalties above. With our support, you can navigate the court process and put this behind you for good.
Don’t let fear control your decisions – let us help you resolve your case. The call is free, so there’s no reason not to take the first step and speak with our office today.