What happens if you miss a court appearance for a traffic ticket?

Question

i got into a car accident, involving no other cars, about a month ago. I was given a court date for a couple months later and i completely forgot about until just two days too late. My reason for the ticket was that i was pleading not guilty to driving at an unsafe speed. What will be the consequences for missing my court appearance?

Answer 1

You have time to file an appeal.  Usually you have to do it within 30 days of the date of the verdict.

You will have to pay the fine and a filing fee and will get it back if you win.

Do not tell anyone you forget your court date.  

Answer 2

doesn't matter your age.  You need to call the court immediately.  When you failed to appear they sent out a bench warrant for your arrest.  To avoid being arrested call the court and they will reschedule the court date...../

Answer 3

Courts are very rigid and have their ways of dealing with things. I would be very upfront with them, and see how you can fix your issue. Some more ideas on how to deal with courts re: tickets on the blog spot below.

Answer 4

The failure to appear will result in a "default judgement" of guilty for the violation. The judge will put a warrant out for your arrest and if caught you will be brought to jail. However you may not sit in jail until your court date normally they will set a bail and allow you to get out (usually consist of cps, signature, personal surety, or code 6 -there are others but wouldnt apply to you) then the process will start over if you miss the next court date. Whatever the case call your local Da's office and allow them to assist you, they may allow you to pay the ticket and you will not have a warrant. If you are 17 or older you can be taken to jail...  

Answer 5

There might be a warrant for your arrest, or they may just forfeit your license. Either way, you better contact the court and get it taken care of.

Answer 6

If you have not paid for the ticket, there will be a warrant for your arrest.  I would contact the number on the ticket and talk to them.  Show that you are trying to make right instead of hiding from them.

Answer 7

Well first you will get the ticket and they could arrest you if they wanted to but probably not. They only do that in extremely bad cases like murder drug possession things like that never a traffic violation. Also they will not run into your home and arrest you but if you get pulled over they will arrest you.

Answer 8

Not sure about other states, but where I am from they will put a warrant out for you arrest. And when you are caught they will put your in jail until the next court date.

Answer 9

The failure to appear will result in a "default judgement" of guilty for the violation.

You should contact the court clerks office to insure there are no fines or penalities. If there are and you fail to pay...you will eventually find yourself being suspended or revoked.