If you’ve been summoned to appear in criminal court, it’s important to take this matter seriously. Court hearings are mandatory and missing one can have considerable consequences. In Indiana, if you fail to appear for your criminal court hearing, you could face a contempt of court charge and hefty fines.
Continue below to learn more about Contempt of Court, including what it means, what penalties it might lead to, and more.
Criminal Contempt for Missing a Court Date
Contempt of court is a criminal charge that involves willfully disobeying or disregarding court orders. If you fail to appear, the presiding judge could find you in contempt and issue a warrant for your arrest. You might also face added charges, such as resisting arrest or failure to comply with court orders.
In addition to being held in contempt of court, failing to show up for a criminal court hearing could also result in being held liable for the full amount of your bond. If you were required to post a cash or surety bond, then you may be forced to pay it in full. If you had originally posted bail, then the court could revoke it and hold you in jail until your next appearance.
Additional Criminal Penalties for Missing Court
There are other penalties you could face as well, including fines or a suspended license. It’s also possible that the judge could increase your bond amount and require you to post it in order to receive bail. If you fail to appear for your criminal court hearing, it will be noted in court records and can impact future proceedings. Not showing up for court can be seen as an admission of guilt, so it’s important to take your criminal case seriously and follow all instructions from the court. Your best option is to contact your attorney and let them know if you cannot attend a hearing or need more time to prepare your defense.
Conclusion
Don’t take your criminal court date lightly. Failing to appear can have serious repercussions, so make sure you’re fully prepared and follow all instructions from the court. Your future could depend on it. If you do miss your court date and an arrest warrant is issued for you, consider prearranging your bail for a faster release from jail.
Ready to prearrange your release from jail in Indianapolis for your arrest warrant? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for fast and secure bail bond service in Marion County, Indiana. We offer prearranged bail bond service for probation violations, too.
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