Facing an arrest for any criminal charge or motor vehicle violation is stressful. However, things can escalate if you are accused of failing to appear in court at the appointed time. Not only could this result in a rescission of your current bail terms, but it may also motivate prosecutors to file new criminal charges.

A Shelton failure to appear lawyer could help limit the impact of these allegations. Our legal team at Ruane Attorneys is prepared to argue for the reinstatement of bail and dissuade prosecutors from pursuing new cases. This could help your current case to get back on track and prevent any potential new penalties.

Failing to Appear Could Result in a Forfeiture of Bail

Most people who appear before a criminal court will receive some bail option. This may include the payment of funds as a promise to appear again for future hearings or a release on their own recognizance. The release from custody while awaiting the end of their case is contingent upon their future appearance. A single failed appearance will result in the court issuing an arrest warrant and potentially rescinding all current bail terms. This means that if a person does appear in court again, a judge may order them to await trial in jail.

It may be challenging to prevent a court from issuing a warrant, but a Shelton failure to appear attorney could arrange for an appearance in court as soon as possible as a sign of good faith. When this includes proof of an excused absence, such as a hospitalization or conflicting date in another court, this could also help to convince a judge to keep the initial bail conditions in place.

New Criminal Charges for Failure to Appear in Shelton

While losing out on bail is a harsh penalty, prosecutors can also attempt to bring new criminal charges and increased sanctions to those accused of intentionally failing to appear in court. The seriousness of the charge depends upon the severity of the underlying criminal case.

Missing a Court Date for Misdemeanor Charges

If the first case is a misdemeanor or a traffic case where a conviction can result in a jail term, the new failure to appear charge will be a class 1 misdemeanor under Connecticut General Statute § 53a-173. This means that convictions can result in jail time of up to one year or a fine of up to $2,000.

Missing a Court Appearance for a Felony

If the underlying case is a felony, a failure to appear is a new felony charge. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-172 makes this offense a class D felony with a prison term of between one and five years and a maximum fine of $5,000. A Shelton lawyer could help a defendant avoid these severe penalties after a missed court date.

Contact a Shelton Failure to Appear Attorney Today

Failure to appear for a case before a criminal court can have harsh consequences. At a minimum, a court is likely to issue a warrant for your arrest. Upon reappearance in court, a judge may rescind your current bail conditions and force you to await trial in custody. In addition, a prosecutor may file new charges with accompanying penalties.

If you are accused of missing a court date, reach out to a Shelton failure to appear lawyer immediately. At Ruane Attorneys, we can work to understand your current situation and fight back against any new charges that a prosecutor may file. Call our office to set up a consultation today.