Missed Your Court Date While on Bail? Here’s What You Need to Know
When you’re out on bail, attending all court dates is a condition of your release and is essential for avoiding severe legal and financial consequences. Missing a court date can lead to forfeited bail, additional criminal charges, and significant liabilities for anyone who co-signed your bond. Here’s what happens when you miss court after being released on bail in Florida.
Understanding Court Date Obligations in Florida
When someone is released on bail, they agree to meet all court obligations, including appearing on designated court dates. Under Florida Statute 843.15, failing to appear is a serious offense that can lead to an arrest warrant and charges for bail jumping. Missing a court date disrupts the judicial process and may lead to severe consequences, including bail revocation.
Immediate Effects on the Bail Bond
The bail bond is immediately affected if a defendant misses a court date. The court will typically issue a bond forfeiture notice, alerting the bail bond agency and the defendant. In most cases, law enforcement will also issue an arrest warrant to bring the defendant back into custody, which may lead to bail revocation, meaning the defendant could remain in jail until the case concludes. Additionally, the missed court date triggers financial repercussions: the bail bond may be forfeited, making the agency, such as Central Florida Bonding, liable for the full bond amount unless the defendant returns to court. The agency may seek reimbursement from the co-signer or pursue legal action to recover the loss, which can add extra costs for the co-signer or family members.
Potential Legal Consequences for Failing to Appear
Failing to appear in court doesn’t only affect the bail bond; it also carries potential criminal consequences under Florida law. For example:
● Misdemeanor Failure to Appear: If the original charge was a misdemeanor, the failure to appear can result in a first-degree misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to one year in jail and fines.
● Felony Failure to Appear: If the original charge was a felony, failing to appear can be charged as a third-degree felony, resulting in up to five years in prison and substantial fines.
Steps to Take if You Missed Your Court Date
If you’ve missed a court date, take these immediate actions to help mitigate the consequences:
1. Contact Your Bail Bondsman: Once you realize you missed your court date it’s best to immediately notify your bail bondsman. They may be able to work with the court to schedule a new appearance and prevent the bond from being permanently forfeited.
2. Reach Out to Your Attorney: Your attorney can advise on how to address the missed court date and help petition the court to recall the warrant, especially if the absence was due to unavoidable circumstances.
3. Arrange to Appear in Court ASAP: By rescheduling and appearing as soon as possible, you may demonstrate to the court that the missed appearance was a mistake, potentially reducing penalties.
The Importance of Staying Compliant
Missing a court date on bail can have far-reaching consequences, from financial liabilities to additional criminal charges. Staying compliant with all court appearances is essential, and if issues arise, it’s important to contact your bail bondsman and attorney as soon as possible.
Central Florida Bonding understands that life happens, and sometimes missed court dates are unavoidable. Our team works with clients to help them navigate the process after a missed court date, providing guidance and resources to help them stay on track. We offer bail bonds for a variety of charges including domestic violence, theft, driving with a suspended license, drugs and drug trafficking. With decades of experience, Central Florida Bonding remains committed to supporting clients through the complexities of the bail process and helping them avoid further complications whenever possible. If you are needing a bail bonds give us a call at 407-841-3646.
