Sometimes life happens. Sometimes it’s unavoidable and comes up at inconvenient times. Sometimes it leads you to miss a court date. While there are plenty of reasons that do not constitute an acceptable reason for absence, there are several that do. In this post, we will show you when it is acceptable to miss a court date as well as what can happen if you miss without a valid reason.
Unacceptable Reasons to Miss a Court Date
Before we dive into the acceptable reasons for missing a court date, let’s go over the reasons that, although may seem valid, are not. The most common reasons that people may miss a court date are in fact not excusable. They are:
- Oversleeping
- Traffic
- School or Work
- Doctor’s Appointment
- Mild Illness
- Anxiety
Acceptable Reasons to Miss a Court Date
Although there are many reasons that do not count as valid enough to miss a court date, there are a few that could get you a continuance.
Health or Family Emergency
This should come as no surprise, but if you are physically unable to make your court date on account of your health, then you will be excused from attending. The same applies if a member of your immediate family suffers an emergency and your presence is required.
Lawyer Withdrawal
If your lawyer withdrawals at the last minute before your hearing, this would be an acceptable reason for absence. As it is your right to have access to legal representation, failure to grant you such a right is in violation of our constitution. Your trial will usually be delayed until a public defender is found to represent you.
Failure to Receive Notice
Obviously, if you never receive notice of summons and you fail to show up to court, then you can not be blamed for that. This can sometimes be difficult to prove however. If you simply lost your summons letter or forgot about it, that would not be grounds for an excused absence. The burden of proof lies upon you to provide some evidence that you never received notice.
Punishment for Missing a Court Date
There are several penalties that can occur as a result of missing a court date. Of these, the most severe are harsh fines and prison time. Prison time can vary, ranging from a couple of days to over a year, depending on circumstances such as criminal history and severity of crime. For example, if you fail to appear for a traffic violation hearing, you may be fined up to $500.
Get Out of Jail With A-EZ Out Bail Bonds
The percentage of individuals who actually miss their court date is actually pretty low. No one wants to get in more trouble than they are already in. That’s why we trust that our clients will always show up to their court dates on time. If you or a loved one is in need of professional bail bond services, look no farther than A-EZ Out Bail Bonds. Give us a call today or fill out our online form so we can get you back home fast.