When you are charged with a felony offense, it can be incredibly overwhelming. Between dealing with the criminal justice process and handling the impacts it has on your personal life, it can be difficult for many people to manage. One of the most important things you should know about this process is that if you miss a court date, it can lead to a considerable amount of stress and penalties. As such, the following blog explores what you can expect if you miss your scheduled hearing and why working with an Oklahoma City felony defense lawyer is in your best interest to help you during these complicated issues.
What Happens if I Miss a Court Date?
If you do not appear for a scheduled court hearing for a felony offense, the penalties you can incur are incredibly severe. Generally, the first penalty that will occur is that you will lose your bail. When you pay bail to be released from prison, you are doing so with the understanding that the money you paid for bail acts as collateral. If you fail to appear for any of your court dates, you will relinquish the right to get that money back. As such, you can lose a considerable amount of money if you do not attend a court hearing.
In addition to losing your bail, a warrant will likely be issued for your arrest, especially when the crime you are facing is a felony offense. With a bench warrant, the police have the right to arrest you and bring you back to jail. Because you did not appear on a previous date, you will likely be unable to secure bail upon your re-arrest.
You should also be aware that missing a court date can and likely will be charged as an additional criminal offense. Because you are facing a felony offense to begin with, you’ll find that you can be charged with another felony charge for missing your court date. This carries additional time in jail and fines.
What Should I Do if I’ve Missed My Date?
If you have missed your scheduled court date, the most important thing you can do is to immediately contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to explain your situation. They can then call the court on your behalf to explain what happened and see if a bench warrant has been issued for you. By having an attorney to represent you during these matters, you’ll find that this gives you the opportunity to prevent facing an additional arrest charge.
Facing a felony offense is overwhelming without adding an additional charge. As such, if you have been charged with a crime, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney to discuss your legal options. At the Jones Firm, PLLC, we understand how difficult these issues can be, which is why our team is dedicated to providing you with the best representation possible. When you’re in legal trouble, contact our firm to learn how we will fight for you.
