What Happens If I Miss a Court Appearance While Out on Bail in MN?

Missing a court appearance while out on bail can lead to serious consequences. The court system treats bail conditions with utmost seriousness, and failing to adhere to them can result in bail forfeiture and the issuance of an arrest warrant. If you miss a court date while out on bail, your first step should be to contact your bail bond agent to explore your options.

Consequences of Missing a Court Appearance

• 1. Forfeiture of Bail Bond:

  If you miss a Minnesota court appearance while out on bail, the court may order a forfeiture of your bail bond. This means that you will be liable to pay the full bail amount if you do not take action to remedy the situation. For example, if you are out on $12,000 bond for a DWI charge and miss court, you will be required to pay $12,000 to the bonding company if you do not turn yourself in or take care of your warrant immediately.

• 2. Arrest Warrant:

  If you miss a MN court appearance, the court will likely issue a warrant for your arrest. This means that you may be taken into custody and brought back to jail if you do not turn yourself in or post an additional bail to eliminate your warrant.

• 3. Additional Fees:

  Missing a MN court appearance may also result in additional fees, like another bail being set or a penalty being imposed by the court on the bail bond forfeiture. Typically, the sooner you are brought back into custody, the smaller the penalty will be on the bail bond forfeiture, if a penalty is imposed.

What to Do If You've Missed a Court Appearance

If you find yourself in the situation of having missed a court appearance while out on bail, it’s crucial to take action promptly to mitigate the repercussions. Here are some steps to consider:

• 1. Contact Your Bail Bondsman:

  The first step you should take is to contact your local Minnesota bail bondsman. We can advise you on the best course of action, which usually includes contacting your attorney or the court if you have an excuse for the missed hearing. If you do not have an excuse, it is usually in your best interest to turn yourself in as soon as possible. Otherwise, if a bail is set on your warrant, we may be able to post a bond for you in order to avoid having to turn yourself in. Learn more about warrants here.

• 2. Contact Your Attorney:

  If you have a valid excuse for missing court, your attorney may be able to help you quash a warrant that was issued and reinstate the forfeited bail bond without having to turn yourself in. Valid excuses may include medical emergencies, family emergencies, reasonable transportation issues, lack of notice for your hearing, or other unforeseen circumstances. The MN court may be more lenient in their ruling if you have a valid excuse.

• 3. Turn Yourself In:

  If there is a warrant for your arrest, and you do not have a valid excuse for missing court, it's best to turn yourself in as soon as possible. This shows the court that you're taking responsibility for your actions and may help to mitigate the consequences. If you are unwilling to turn yourself in, we must take action to locate and arrest you with the help of bounty hunters and local Minnesota law enforcement officers. If this is the case, you will be considered a flight risk which makes it makes it much more difficult to bail out due to higher bail being set and bonding agencies being unwilling to work with you.

Preventing Future Court Appearance Misses

While missing a hearing can have serious consequences, there are steps you can take to prevent it from happening in the future. Here are some tips:

• 1. Set Reminders:

  Set reminders for all Minnesota court appearances, including reminders several days in advance and the day before. It is easy to forget when your next hearing is, especially if you misplaced your hearing notice. You can also elect to receive hearing eReminders in which the court will send you text message or email reminders before your next hearing. You can set up Hearing eReminders here. Metro Bail Bonds will also send you text message reminders before each of your court dates.

• 2. Make Arrangements for Future Appearances:

  If you have a scheduling conflict, be sure to make arrangements for future appearances. For example, if you have hearings scheduled in two different Minnesota counties on the same day, you may need to contact the court or your attorney to reschedule the hearing. This may also include arranging for transportation if you do not have a vehicle or a drivers license.

• 3. Update Contact Information:

  Make sure you have accurate contact information on file with the Minnesota court and with your local bail bondsman. One of the primary reasons for missing a court appearance while out on bail is a failure to receive proper notice of the hearing. If the court does not give you a hearing notice in person, they may mail you the notice, which is why it is important to make sure they have the correct address on file. Metro Bail Bonds will also need your updated contact information in order to send you hearing reminders.

• 4. Communicate with Your Attorney and Bondsman:

  If you have any concerns or issues that may prevent you from attending your hearing, be sure to communicate them with your attorney and/or your bail bond agent as soon as possible. Your attorney may be able to continue your hearing, which would then give you a new court date. If you cannot get ahold of your attorney, Metro Bail Bonds can help you contact court administration in your specific MN county or find accurate contact information for your attorney.

• 5. Follow the Court's Orders:

  Finally, be sure to follow all Minnesota court orders, including orders related to your bail. This can help to prevent a warrant from being issued for your arrest and will make your obligation to appear in court much easier and less stressful.

Missing a Minnesota court appearance while out on bail can result in severe repercussions, including bail forfeiture, arrest warrants, and additional fees. If you've missed a hearing, it's crucial to take prompt action to mitigate the situation. Reach out to your bail bond agent and attorney, and be prepared to explain your absence. To prevent future occurrences, set reminders, make transportation arrangements, update your contact details, communicate with your attorney and bail bondsman, and adhere to all court orders. By taking these steps, you can help ensure a smoother process for your case without unnecessary complications. Still have questions? Give us a call today!