Golden Valley Failure to Appear Lawyer

When you are given a notice to appear in court, it is important to understand the seriousness of it. Such a notice carries the full weight of the Minnesota justice system. When you fail to appear for your court date despite being warned in advance, you may face a criminal charge in addition to the charges you were already supposed to appear in court for.

Time is always of the essence when it comes to contesting criminal allegations, but when you are accused of failing to appear in court, it is essential to contact a capable defense attorney as soon as possible. Specifically, a Golden Valley failure to appear lawyer could discuss your legal options for your unique case.

Is Failing to Appear in Court a Misdemeanor or a Felony?

In accordance with Minnesota Revised Statutes § 609.49, failure to appear in criminal court in violation of a court order may be treated as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of the defendant’s charges. For a misdemeanor or a gross misdemeanor, intentionally not showing up to court can result in a separate misdemeanor charge, adding:

• Up to 90 days of jail time
• An additional $1,000 fine
• Covering expenses incurred by law enforcement and the court system as a direct result of failing to appear

For felony cases, failing to appear in court may lead to additional penalties of:

• One year and one day of imprisonment
• An additional $1,500 fine
• Forfeit up to half of the maximum imprisonment term or fine if the defendant is convicted of the pre-existing offense

A Golden Valley failure to appear attorney could explain the distinctions between different types of offenses in more detail, including how the court system handles failure to appear for juvenile cases.

Options for Resolving a Failure to Appear Charge

An individual who misses a court date for a felony offense but then surrenders voluntarily to law enforcement within 48 hours of the initial order must have their failure to appear charge dismissed. Furthermore, when a defendant misses their court date because of circumstances beyond their control—such as a serious injury or illness that required them to be hospitalized—it is considered an “affirmative defense.”

However, people who fail to appear in court typically only have a matter of days to use this defense strategy. This is why it is so important to promptly retain a dedicated Golden Valley lawyer after being accused of failing to appear in court.

Seek Help from a Golden Valley Failure to Appear Attorney

Failing to appear for a court date does not have to result in criminal penalties. That said, resolving an issue like this is rarely as simple as going to court and admitting to your mistake. You will need help from seasoned legal counsel to ensure your defense goes as smoothly as possible.

That is where a qualified Golden Valley failure to appear lawyer could step in to provide the custom-tailored support you need. Call today to schedule a consultation.