A summons from a criminal court comes with the full power of the law. This means that if you face criminal charges and must appear before the court at a specific date and time, you have an obligation to be there. Failures to appear can come with many consequences. A court can revoke any current bail conditions, and you may even face a separate criminal offense under state law.

If you have missed a criminal court appearance, reach out to a New Britain failure to appear lawyer for help. Ruane Attorneys can take the lead in gathering evidence to show that your nonappearance was for a valid reason. We could also work to convince prosecutors not to pursue any additional charges or to agree to reinstatement of bail.

Failing to Appear Could Result in New Criminal Charges

A failure to appear as a defendant for a hearing in court comes with serious potential consequences. There are two statutes in the state’s penal code that allow for new criminal charges after failing to appear.

Missing a Court Date for a Misdemeanor

Failure to appear in the second degree is outlined under Connecticut General Statute § 53a-173. This applies when the underlying criminal case is a misdemeanor or motor vehicle violation where a jail sentence is an available penalty. Under state law, a conviction is a class A misdemeanor that can bring a jail sentence of up to one year, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

Failing to Appear in Court for a Felony

Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-172, failing to appear for a felony hearing can lead to additional felony charges. Convictions under this statute are class D felonies that can result in a prison sentence of between one and five years and a fine of up to $5,000. A New Britain failure to appear attorney could help contest the need for additional prosecution after an individual misses a court date.

Consequences of Failing to Appear on a Criminal Case

While failing to appear for one’s criminal case can bring new charges, it can also have a profound effect on a current case. The most obvious impact is that a failure to appear gives a court the authority to issue an immediate warrant for one’s arrest. This means that any traffic stops or other interaction with police may result in an immediate arrest and detention until the next court day.

The prosecutor is likely to ask a court to rescind any current bail orders during the next hearing. If a judge accepts this argument, a defendant will need to await the conclusion of their case in jail. A failure to appear lawyer could help preserve a person’s right to bail after a failure to appear in New Britain. The attorneys at our firm could argue why a previous case should continue without additional consequences for a missed court date.

Reach Out to a New Britain Failure to Appear Attorney Immediately

Allegations that you have failed to appear as a defendant before a criminal court are serious matters. Not only could a court move to rescind any current bail orders that allow you to await trial from home, but prosecutors could also file new criminal charges with additional penalties.

A New Britain failure to appear lawyer could work tirelessly to prevent this outcome. At Ruane Attorneys, we could determine the reason for your failure to appear, present evidence that excuses your absence, and get your current case back on track. Contact us today to begin discussing your situation.