QUESTION

If I missed my court date for a DUI, what would be the consequence?

Asked on Jun 09th, 2015 on DUI/DWI - California
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I was arrested for a DUI and failed to attend the court date given. It's been about a month and I would really like to take care of this. I was wondering what sort of consequence I'm looking at.
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6 ANSWERS

The court has almost certainly issued a bench warrant for your arrest. Sheriffs don't go out roaming the county seeking to execute these warrants: if you were stopped for a traffic offense, for example, they would discover it and take you in. Sooner or later, though, they would want to clean out the file of warrants, and they'd get you then. Of course, you should retain a lawyer. But lawyered up or not, you should be able to call the Clerk of Court for the county where you were supposed to appear, explain that you missed the court date for [whatever the court appearance was for] and you'd like to come in and take care of it very soon. The clerk will either tell you to show up on a certain day and time, or else have you contact the District Attorney's office to set up a new appearance. Sometimes they insist you come to the courthouse and receive a notice of the new date and time 'in hand,' so you an never deny that you knew the new date. Good Luck.
Answered on Jul 27th, 2015 at 2:57 PM

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Social Security Disability Attorney serving Melbourne, FL at Law Office of Robert E. McCall
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Any sanction depends on the Judge. If you have an attorney contact them immediately and request they schedule a court date. If it has been long time some Judges issue a Bench Warrant; if so most Judges rule you will some time in Jail. One day in jail for each day you are late in reporting to the court. If you do not have an attorney notify the Judges office and beg to be placed on the schedule.
Answered on Jul 27th, 2015 at 2:57 PM

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Appellate Attorney serving Grosse Pointe Farms, MI at Musilli Brennan Associates, PLLC
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See an attorney, there is most probably a bench warrant out for your arrest.
Answered on Jul 27th, 2015 at 2:57 PM

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You should hire a lawyer to go to court to recall the warrant. A lawyer can do this without you present if the underlying charge is a misdemeanor, so it is less risky for you.
Answered on Jul 27th, 2015 at 2:56 PM

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Criminal Defense Attorney serving Alhambra, CA at Francis John Cowhig
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Most likely, there is a bench warrant issued for your arrest. I strongly suggest that you hire an attorney to help you get the warrant recalled.
Answered on Jul 27th, 2015 at 2:56 PM

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Bankruptcy Attorney serving Federal Way, WA at Freeborn Law Offices P.S.
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I am sure there is a warrant out for your arrest due to your failure to appear. My advice: contact the court and see if you can get on a warrant re-call calendar and get the case back on track. The court is not going to call you. If you do nothing, eventually you will be picked up and taken to jail and from there you will appear before the judge. Don't let it go that far.
Answered on Jul 27th, 2015 at 2:56 PM

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