What Can A Fort Worth Failure To Appear Lawyer Do For You?

If you missed your court appearance due to an accident or unforeseen circumstances, you may face a warrant for your arrest and an additional misdemeanor or felony charge. Depending on the circumstances that led to your absence, you may be able to have your failure to appear charge dropped.

An experienced Fort Worth Failure To Appear Lawyer understands that life gets in the way sometimes. They can help you prove to the court that you had a reasonable excuse for missing your court date. A Failure To Appear Lawyer can help you explain your circumstances to the court and work to protect you from further legal incrimination. Work with a seasoned Defense Attorney today, and know that you are in capable hands.

FTA laws are designed to ensure that defendants who have been summoned to court appear as required. When a defendant fails to appear in court, they may issue a warrant for their arrest and impose additional penalties.

Common Penalties For Failure To Appear In Fort Worth

The penalties for an FTA in Fort Worth, TX can be severe, and defendants who fail to do this risk making their legal situation much worse. It is important for defendants to understand their legal obligations and to take appropriate action to ensure that they appear in court as required.

License Suspension For Failing To Appear

An FTA can result in the suspension of the defendant’s driver’s license. This can be a significant inconvenience and may impact the defendant’s ability to work or attend school.

Arrest Warrant For Missing Court

This crime can also result in the issuance of a warrant for the defendant’s arrest. If the defendant is arrested on the warrant, they may be held in jail until their next court appearance.

Additional Fees & Fines For Failure To Appear

In addition to the above penalties, an FTA can also result in the imposition of additional fees and fines. These can be significant, especially if the defendant is facing other charges.

Capias Warrants & Their Impact

If the defendant has been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, it can result in the issuance of a capias warrant. A capias warrant allows law enforcement officers to arrest the defendant and bring them to court.

Different Levels Of Failure To Appear Charges

Per the Texas Penal Code §38.10, bail jumping and failure to appear are often charged in association with whatever crime a defendant originally committed. For example, if the original offense was only punishable by a fine, a subsequent failure to appear would be charged as a less severe Class C misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $500.

Misdemeanor Charges For Failure To Appear

If the original crime was a misdemeanor and might have led to a jail sentence, the defendant could conversely be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and fines of up to $4,000 in value. 

Felony Charges & Associated Penalties

In the event the original crime was a felony, the defendant’s failure to appear charge may also be classified as a felony. A third-degree felony failure to appear charge could lead to imprisonment of up to 10 years independent of any consequences for the original charge. A Fort Worth Criminal Defense Lawyer can investigate any relevant, mitigating factors, in an attempt to reduce the severity of the consequences that a person may face.

Steps To Take If You Have A Failure To Appear Warrant

If you have a failure to appear warrant, it’s important to take action as soon as possible to avoid further legal and financial consequences. It is essential to take appropriate actions to resolve the warrant and address the underlying legal issues.

The first thing you should do is contact an experienced attorney who can help you understand your legal options and provide guidance on the best way to resolve the situation. Depending on the circumstances, turning yourself in may be the best course of action. This way, you may be able to avoid additional penalties and may be more likely to receive a favorable outcome in court.

Also, you should address the underlying legal issues that led to the FTA warrant. This may require the assistance of an attorney and may involve negotiating a plea deal or fighting the charges in court. Ignoring a warrant can have serious consequences, such as the suspension of your driver’s license, arrest, additional fees and fines, and even imprisonment. With that, it’s crucial to take action and resolve the warrant as soon as possible.

Remember, mistakes happen, and circumstances can prevent you from appearing in court. But with the help of an experienced attorney, you can potentially avoid the legal and financial penalties associated with the FTA charge. So don’t hesitate to reach out to a skilled defense lawyer today to explore your options and protect your legal rights.

Defenses Your Lawyer Can Use Against Failure To Appear Charges

You need a convincing reason that you’re unable to appear in court at the requested date and time. There are rationales that courts deem acceptable. For instance, a court can consider the fact that you failed to appear because you were hospitalized or incarcerated at the time. Other scenarios include the death of a close family member.

Even when a person is physically capable of appearing in court, there are defenses that can be used against a failure to appear charge. For instance, if you weren’t properly notified of the appearance details i.e. court date, the court may drop the charge.

Defendants should contact the court the first chance they get after failing to appear. This should apply regardless of the underlying case. There are serious consequences for missing court dates and failing to inform the court and authorities in time. Judges are more likely to reconsider charges when a defendant takes the initiative and initiates contact. However, it’s advisable to do so through a lawyer.

How To Avoid Failure To Appear Charges In Fort Worth

Defendants should avoid it by taking appropriate actions to ensure they make an appearance in court as required.

Stay Informed

You should ensure you have accurate information about the court date and time. Read and understand all court notices and keep a record of court dates.

Contact The Court

If a defendant is unable to appear as scheduled, contact the court as soon as possible. In some cases, they may be willing to reschedule the hearing or provide an alternative way for the defendant to participate, such as via video conferencing.

Hire An Attorney

Defendants may need to hire an attorney to help them navigate the legal system and ensure that they comply with their legal obligations. An experienced Criminal Defense Attorney can provide guidance and advice to defendants who are facing FTA charges and help them take the necessary steps to resolve their legal situation.

Reach Out To A Fort Worth Failure To Appear Lawyer For Help

Clearly, the consequences of failure to appear in Texas can be life-altering and expensive. However, experienced legal counsel can give you a chance to explain the circumstances surrounding your failure to make an appearance and potentially avoid the legal and financial penalties associated with the charge.

Mistakes happen in life, but criminal defense attorneys work tirelessly to help you prove to the court that you had to miss your court date due to circumstances beyond your control or an inadvertent error. In every case, time is often the most important element, so contact a Fort Worth failure-to-appear Lawyer as soon as possible to start seeing what your options may be.

Legal Assistance From The Medlin Law Firm

If you’re facing failure-to-appear charges, seasoned lawyers at The Medlin Law Firm can be a big help. Their experienced attorneys can provide a wide range of services to help you navigate the legal system and avoid serious consequences.

They can help you understand the law. Moreover, the firm’s Criminal Defense Lawyers have the experience and knowledge necessary to explain the penalties and consequences of your charge. They will work with you to develop a legal strategy to mitigate those consequences.

Additionally, these lawyers can represent you in court and provide a strong defense against the charges. They can help protect your legal rights and ensure that you receive a fair trial. Their guidance can help you achieve a positive outcome for your case.

Summary

Failure to appear laws in Fort Worth, TX ensures that defendants appear in court as required. Failure to do this can result in serious consequences, including the suspension of a driver’s license, the issuance of a warrant for arrest, and additional fees and fines. 

It is important to understand your legal obligations and to take appropriate action to ensure that you appear in court as required. If you are unable to, remember to contact the court as soon as possible to request a rescheduling or an alternative method of participation. An experienced Fort Worth failure-to-appear Lawyer can also provide you with guidance and support when facing FTA charges.