The legal system in Colorado processes thousands of people each year for various charges and offenses. In most cases, a person charged with a crime must show up in court at a specified date and time.
Missing a mandated court appearance is a violation, and the consequences can be severe regardless of the reason for missing the appearance. A successful criminal defense includes making sure that the defendant meets all court appearances, as neglecting to do so can lead to a variety of punishments.
Why do people typically miss court appearances?
In most cases, people don’t miss court appearances in purposeful defiance of the law or to evade justice. This is one of the reasons that the harsh penalties for missing a court appearance often seem overly punitive.
The two most common general reasons are that the person does not understand when to appear, forgets about the court date, or has outside circumstances that prevent them from attending. Often, court appearance orders may be worded confusingly or don’t emphasize properly when the appearance is scheduled. People charged with crimes may lack transportation options, be unable to take time off of work, or lack access to childcare.
The consequences of missing a court appearance
Generally, if you miss a court appearance, a bench warrant for your arrest for “failure to appear” will be issued. This can lead to your arrest and incarceration in jail. In addition, you’re likely to receive fines for missing a court appearance even if not incarcerated.
The consequences of missing a court appearance can be especially damaging for anyone on probation, parole, or pre-trial release. Frequently, missing a court appearance can be taken as non-compliance with the terms of parole or probation, leading to an extended prison sentence.
Unfortunately, many people charged with offenses miss court appearances, frequently due to circumstances out of their control. Regardless of intent, missing a court appearance can lead to fines, jail time, or even prison time.
