Florence Failure to Appear Lawyer | Bench Warrant Attorney

When you have been issued a court date for any kind of citation, it is important that you appear. However, the reality is that things do not always go as planned. Whether you missed your court date on purpose or because of circumstances beyond your control, it is very important to address the situation before things escalate. A Florence failure to appear lawyer can help you set things right with the court in order to avoid more serious consequences. Contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys for a free consultation.

What is a Failure to Appear Charge?

Police officers often issue citations after witnessing non-violent offenses. These may include traffic violations (such as speeding or running a red light), possession of drug paraphernalia, public intoxication, loitering, or noise disturbances. After issuing a citation, the court typically requires the individual to appear before a judge on a designated date. Failing to appear may result in an additional charge—failure to appear. A Florence failure to appear lawyer could help navigate the legal process and safeguard your rights.

Consequences of Failure to Appear

As Kentucky Revised Statutes § 431.015 explains, failure to appear in court can result in the judge issuing a warrant for the individual’s arrest. This is commonly referred to as a bench warrant and places the individual at risk of arrest at any time. Arrests under a bench warrant frequently occur during routine traffic stops or when authorities check someone’s identity during routine matters, such as a background screening for a job application.

It can be very stressful to have a warrant, and day-to-day tasks like traveling or applying to rent an apartment can become points of contention.

What to Do After Failure to Appear

It is very important not to ignore a failure to appear charge. The longer the situation goes on, the worse the consequences can become, especially if the individual is living with constant anxiety about a potential arrest.

Instead, it is important to speak with a Florence failure to appear attorney and work to get the situation legally and fully resolved. In some cases, an attorney may be able to file a motion to cancel the warrant without an arrest. In exchange, the court will often assign a new date to appear, at which point the individual can address the original citation. A motion to quash a warrant is most likely to be approved if the individual had a valid reason for missing the original court date and has acted as quickly as possible to address the situation.

In some situations, individuals who fail to appear in court may need to surrender themselves to address the charge. An attorney could advise when and where to take this step and work to secure their release from custody as quickly as the circumstances allow.

Hiring a Failure to Appear Lawyer in Florence for Help With Your Case

If you have missed a court date, do not wait to address it. In many cases, a delay may be looked on unfavorably, and the best outcomes happen when the situation is addressed promptly.

A Florence failure to appear lawyer could advise you on what to do in order to address the situation quickly and with minimal disruption. In many cases, you can avoid arrest after a failure to appear by showing a clear intention to meet a future court date and address the original citation.