Charged With A Crime? We're Ready To Fight.
What Will Happen If I Fail to Appear at a Hearing?
If you are a defendant in a criminal case you will be scheduled for a hearing. If you qualify, you may be allowed out on bail or on your own recognizance. If you are out of jail awaiting your case, you are expected to return for the hearing dates. There will likely be the need for several court appearances. In Florida, if you fail to appear to a court hearing you may face separate criminal charges. What happens will depend on many factors.
Failure to Appear
Failing to appear will be treated differently depending on whether your initial charge was a misdemeanor or a felony. In some cases, the judge will issue an immediate bench warrant. When this occurs, you may be taken into custody at any time. Many people do not realize they have a warrant until they are stopped for a traffic violation or other minor offense.
Surrendering
If you have missed a court appearance you may be facing a warrant. It is usually best to talk to your attorney as soon as possible to determine the best course of action to take. One option is to surrender to police. This does not mean you have to immediately head to the police station. Instead, your attorney can file a motion that lets you surrender in a courtroom rather than jail. Another choice may be to request a new court date. The request will be handled by a judge who will determine whether this will be allowed.
After a Failure to Appear
A failure to appear, also called an FTA, could bring on a number of issues. If you ignore the FTA you will likely get into more trouble which could include problems with a background check, a suspension of your driver’s license, and other penalties. For these reasons it is best to take action on the FTA. Consult with your attorney to learn your options and to make the best choice moving forward.
Decades of Trusted Service. Hundreds of Grateful Voices.
-
“David Katz sets the standard by which all other defense attorney's must measure. He not only knows his craft and has the experience to back it up, he relishes forcing his opponents to follow the law towards the best outcome for his clients.”- Karate K.
-
“Christine Vazquez took on our case with a 24hr commitment. She put everything on the line to hold the judicial system accountable.”- Phil W.
-
“I can’t thank attorneys Christine Vazquez and David Katz enough for the incredible job they did on my DUI case.”- Gabriel H.
Why Hire Katz & Phillips?
Some important reasons to secure experienced representation include:
-
Board-Certified* Attorneys
Our founding attorneys are two of three board-certified* DUI defense lawyers in the state.
-
Former Prosecution Experience
As former prosecutors, we bring an invaluable perspective and skillset to every case.
-
High Success Rate in Criminal Defense
With a 90%+ success rate, our proven track record of success speaks for itself.
-
Decades of Experience
With more than 10,000 cases handled, our advocates are well versed in criminal law to help you navigate your case with care and efficiency.
-
Always Responsive
Our team is available to take your call and address any questions or concerns you have.
-
Financing Available
The last thing you need during a criminal case is financial stress. Our firm offers financing with no credit check required.
Meet Your Dedicated Defense Team
Led by two of Florida's Board-Certified* DUI Experts, Our attorneys bring together more than 50 years of success, defending clients across Florida against criminal and DUI charges.
-
DUI Charges Reduced
The court deemed all other conditions satisfied so M.A. did not have to go on probation at all and walked out of courthouse with a fine and fees to pay, and the case behind her.
-
Case Dismissed
J.A.R. had had a previous DUI conviction and was facing mandatory jail time if convicted of this offense. In reviewing the discovery provided by the state, our team found several issues with the police investigation, and realized that our clients’ rights had been violated.
-
All Charges Dropped
In reviewing the evidence provided by the State our team realized that T.R.’s rights had been violated when she was immediately illegally arrested by the Trooper. Further, there were many other errors made by the Trooper which would result in the evidence gathered being suppressed.
-
All Charges Dropped
In this case, our client, R.H., was out with friends. A family member who was angry with him tracked his location by tracking his cell phone, called the police, told them he was very drunk, and led the police right to his car. The officers stopped his car and eventually arrested him.
Our Case Results
Two of Florida’s only Board-Certified* DUI Defense experts fighting for you.
- DUI Charges Reduced
- Case Dismissed
- All Charges Dropped
- All Charges Dropped
