Here’s What You Should Not Do If You Miss Your Court Date In New York

When facing criminal charges, there are several things you need to avoid doing. One of the things you need to avoid when facing criminal charges in New York is failing to appear in court when you are required to. It is extremely risky to show a lack of seriousness toward the court when facing criminal charges. If you miss a court date in New York, it could result in, among other things, you facing additional charges.

However, even though it is extremely risky to miss a court date when facing criminal charges, the reality is that criminal defendants miss court dates all the time. If you failed to appear in court when you were required to, it is vital that you understand the dos and don’ts. There are certain things you should do after missing a court date, and others you should avoid doing at all costs. Reach out to a qualified criminal defense attorney to understand what you should do and avoid doing after missing your court date in New York.

As you prepare to speak to an attorney, below is a look at some things you should avoid doing after failing to appear in court.

Do Not Wait To Deal With Your Missed Court Date

You need to reach out to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible if you’re facing criminal charges in New York and missed your court date. If you take your time to reach out to an attorney and deal with your missed court date, it is more likely that the judge will not look favorably on your case. Taking action without delay can, for example, help you rectify the situation before you are charged with another offense.

Do Not Give the Court Weak Excuses

If you’re facing criminal charges in New York and you missed your court date, there are some reasons you need to avoid giving the court. Not every reason for missing a court date is a valid reason. Allow an attorney to help you determine valid and justified reasons for missing a court date.

One of the valid and justified reasons for missing a court date in New York is a last-minute emergency. If, for example, you were involved in a car accident or had to be rushed to the hospital because of a debilitating medical condition on the day you were supposed to appear in court, that can serve as an excuse for your failure to appear in court.

Do Not Assume You Know What Will Happen

Indeed, you risk facing harsh consequences for missing a court date. For example, missing a court date could result in you being charged with an offense, such as bail jumping. It could also result in you being asked to pay a monetary fine or the judge issuing a warrant for your arrest. However, if you’re facing criminal charges and you missed a court date, you should remain calm and avoid assuming you know what will happen. Before the court can decide what will happen, it will consider the totality of the circumstances surrounding your missed court date.

Contact an NYC Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’re facing criminal charges in New York and you missed a court date, contact the experienced NYC criminal defense attorney, Mark I. Cohen, for legal help.

Source:

law.cornell.edu/wex/bench_warrant#:~:text=A%20bench%20warrant%20is%20a,not%20appear%20for%20trial%2C%20or