Portsmouth Failure to Appear Lawyer

When something causes you to miss a court date, you can find yourself in serious legal trouble. The best course of action is to address the situation as soon as possible. Let a diligent attorney help you fight the charges.

A Portsmouth failure to appear lawyer could help you remedy the problem before you find yourself under arrest. Working with a diligent criminal defense lawyer could help you take proactive measures that could reduce or eliminate the potential for penalties.

Failure to Appear is a Criminal Offense

Some people are not aware that failure to appear in court is a separate crime that may be penalized in addition to the offense that caused the court to require the appearance in the first place.  Virginia Code Annotated §19.2-128 specifies that people who refuse to appear when summoned to appear in court may be found guilty of a Class 6 felony or Class 1 misdemeanor.

Also, they face forfeiture any bail or bond posted on their behalf. If the person who fails to appear is on probation, failure to appear could be considered a violation and grounds for revoking a sentence suspension. A knowledgeable Portsmouth failure to appear lawyer could work to minimize the negative consequences.

Criminal penalties for failure to appear depend in part on whether the person who missed the court appearance was charged with a felony or misdemeanor. If a felony was involved, the failure to appear could result in imprisonment for up to five years, while if the crime was a misdemeanor, the maximum sentence may be no more than a year. In either case, failure to appear could also result in the imposition of a fine as high as $2,500.

Excuse for Missing Court

Prompt action can make all the difference in a criminal case. If an individual provides a valid excuse for missing court, the court may be inclined to take a lenient stance toward the violation. An experienced failure to appear attorney in Portsmouth could advocate on behalf of someone who missed a court appearance.

On the other hand, if an individual who misses a court date does nothing, the difficulties are likely to increase. The court could issue a bench warrant for the arrest someone who failed to appear in court. Police may not directly set out to arrest someone with a bench warrant. If a police officer stops a person during a routine traffic stop or another proceeding, then they may make an arrest. The person who missed court will have to face the consequences.

Seek Help from a Portsmouth Failure to Appear Attorney Today

If you missed court for any reason, it is wise to consult a knowledgeable Portsmouth failure to appear lawyer as soon as possible. They could explain to the court the reason why you missed the court date to help you avoid any harsh consequences.

An experienced legal advocate could help protect your rights and defend you against failure to appear charges as well as the underlying charges. Call today to get started building your defense.