Missing a court date can have significant, long-term financial consequences, from hefty fines and penalties to possible arrests, asset and credit damage, and income loss. When a defendant or respondent misses a court date, a judge can issue a bench warrant, which gives the police the power to arrest the individual.

Consequences of Missing a Court Date

A bench warrant is an official, written order from a judge, and it can result in jail time. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, there is a link between at least one in eight jail bookings and failures to appear (FTAs) in court. If a person is arrested following the issuance of a bench warrant, their information will be entered into local and state police computer databases and networks, and their driver’s license may be suspended.

Missing a court date can also lead to bond forfeiture, where the judge seizes the property used as collateral for the bond or the entire bail amount. The court then keeps these funds permanently. In addition, courts may impose extra charges on individuals who miss a scheduled court date, including separate fines for FTAs and the forfeiture of any previously paid fine or bail.

Financial Consequences

The financial consequences of missing a court date can be severe. Bail amounts can be quite high, with the median amount for a felony charge sitting at $10,000, according to Harvard Law School’s research center, Access to Justice Lab. Missing a court date can also result in a default judgment, which can lead to creditors taking action against the defendant, including garnishing wages or seizing assets.

Furthermore, missing a court date can lead to income loss, as the individual may be arrested and jailed, resulting in lost wages and potentially even job loss. The longer a person is in jail, the more likely they are to experience income loss and other financial difficulties.

Auto insurance rates can also be affected by missing a court date. If a judge suspends a driver’s license for failing to appear, auto insurance companies may view the individual as a high-risk driver, leading to higher insurance rates. With auto insurance rates already increasing by 43% since 2021, according to a Yahoo article, missing a court date can have significant long-term financial consequences.

Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.