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What Happens if I Miss My Court Date in Washington D.C. or Maryland?

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Our Washington D.C. and Maryland criminal defense attorneys at Lotze Mosley, LLP understand that circumstances out of everyone’s control can lead to missing a court date.

All court dates are mandatory appointments that require an appearance on the date and at the time in which you are scheduled to appear. During certain criminal charges, several appearances may be required, and each is also mandatory.

So, what happens if you do not appear on your court date? Depending on the type of charges you are facing, there could be significant consequences.

Here is what you should know.

Missing a Court Date May Come with a Bench Warrant and Failure to Appear Charge

If you miss a court date in Maryland or Washington D.C., the action will result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest, and you could be charged with a crime known as failure to appear.

Typically, bench warrants do not spring the police force into action looking for the individual who missed their court date. However, it will remain in the system and will appear during a traffic stop or other background check, which will lead to the individual’s immediate arrest.

Your failure to appear for a court date related to a criminal offense where you were released on bail may result in that bond being revoked, and the institution of additional criminal charges.

You may remain in police custody throughout the resolution of your case if you do not work to quickly to repair your failure to appear charges immediately after missing your court date.

What Should I Do If I Have Already Missed My Court Date?

If you have an outstanding bench warrant, or if you have recently missed a court date and are concerned about the consequences of your action, contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Maryland and Washington D.C. today to learn the best approach to facing the court officials head-on, so you can move forward with your attorney by your side to ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.

Contact Our Criminal Defense Attorneys in Maryland and Washington D.C. Today

The sooner you can provide the court with a legitimate explanation of why you missed a court appearance, the quicker you can put the misunderstanding behind you. Contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Washington D.C. and Maryland at Lotze Mosley, LLP to determine the best course of action for your unique case by calling 202-393-0535 today.

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