What Happens If I Miss My Court Date in Orange County?

Missing your Orange County court date can have serious consequences. Judges issue a bench warrant for your arrest, add a new failure to appear (FTA) charge, and may increase your bail or revoke release conditions. If you were out on bail, you forfeit the money. If released on your own recognizance, the judge will likely set bail upon arrest.

At the Law Offices of William Bruzzo, our Orange County criminal defense attorney handles FTA cases and works to recall warrants quickly to minimize damage.

The Immediate Consequences of Missing Court

When you fail to appear, the judge issues a bench warrant. While sheriffs may not actively pursue most misdemeanor warrants, any traffic stop, police encounter, or investigation can lead to arrest. You could be held in county jail until a judge reviews your case.

Failure to appear also becomes a separate charge:

• Misdemeanor FTA for missing misdemeanor court dates
• Felony FTA under Penal Code 1320 for missing felony court dates

These charges carry additional jail time and fines on top of your original case. Bail forfeiture is common if you miss court while released, and your bondsman may pursue recovery through bounty hunters.

Valid Reasons Versus Excuses That Don’t Work

Courts may excuse missed appearances for valid reasons such as hospitalization, being detained in another jurisdiction, or a genuine emergency with proof. Excuses that rarely work include:

• Forgetting the date
• Work conflicts
• Lack of transportation
• Fear or nervousness
• Assuming your attorney would appear for you

An Orange County criminal defense attorney cannot simply “excuse” an FTA without legally valid reasons.

How to Recall a Bench Warrant

If you missed your court date, don’t wait for police to arrest you. We can file motions to recall the warrant and quash the failure to appear charge before you’re arrested. This requires appearing in court voluntarily with your attorney and explaining what happened.

Judges are more lenient when you turn yourself in voluntarily rather than getting arrested. We schedule a hearing, appear with you, present any valid reasons for the missed appearance, and argue that you’re now taking responsibility by appearing voluntarily. Many judges recall warrants and reinstate your release conditions if you demonstrate you’ll appear going forward.

The key is acting quickly. The longer you wait, the less sympathetic judges become. If months or years pass, judges assume you were avoiding court intentionally rather than dealing with a one-time problem.

Getting Back on Track After Failure to Appear

Once the warrant is recalled, we address both the original charges and the failure to appear charge. Sometimes prosecutors dismiss FTA charges when you resolve the underlying case, but this isn’t guaranteed. We negotiate global resolutions handling all charges together rather than treating them separately.

Contact an Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Don’t let a missed court date destroy your case. The Law Offices of William Bruzzo has 30 years of experience handling failure to appear cases in Orange County Superior Court. We can recall warrants and get your case back on track.

Call (714) 547-4636 or contact us online immediately to speak with an Orange County criminal defense lawyer who will fix this problem before you’re arrested.