What happens if you don’t go to court after you’re arrested for driving under the influence (DUI)? You may face a number of legal consequences for ignoring a court date. In fact, you may end up facing criminal charges and a bench warrant.
You may use this article to learn more about bench warrants. Focus on methods to resolve this kind of warrant and consider how failure to appear could affect your DUI case. Learn more about your options for resolving DUI charges in Los Angeles without avoiding a court date right here.
Skipping a DUI Court Date Is Failure to Appear
You should know that avoiding a court date for a DUI may result in criminal charges in Los Angeles. You could face charges under California Vehicle Code (VEH) §40508 for failure to appear. The legal system treats a failure to appear as a misdemeanor. If you are convicted, you could face:
- Up to six months of jail time
- Up to $1,000 in fines
Note that these penalties do not replace the results of a DUI conviction. Instead, you may face penalties for both crimes if you are convicted. Make sure you reach out to a Los Angeles DUI lawyer immediately after an arrest. A lawyer may keep track of your court dates, to make sure you don’t miss any parts of your trial. Find out more by calling (310) 896-2724.
Bench Warrants for Failure to Appear for a DUI Trial
In addition to facing criminal charges, a judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest if you do not appear in court after a DUI. A bench warrant gives police officers the right to arrest you and bring you to court.
Bench warrants do not go away after a period of time in Los Angeles. They remain on your record until they are resolved. This means you cannot “wait out” a bench warrant. You may resolve a bench warrant if you turn yourself into the court.
However, you may want to reach out to a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles before you turn yourself in. A lawyer may work to resolve a bench warrant for you. Your lawyer may take steps to limit the severity of the punishment you face for failure to appear.
Your Bail Hearing if You Don’t Go to Court for a DUI
Many drivers arrested for a DUI in California are released on bail. Bail is a payment made to the court system. Paying bail allows you to stay out of jail until your criminal trial begins. Unfortunately, the court may increase your bail payment if you fail to appear for your trial.
The court may even deny you bail, in some cases. This means that you would have to stay in jail until your trial. You may count on a lawyer to help during your bail hearing. Members of our team may work to show that you did not intentionally miss your court date. Note that you may not face penalties for failure to appear if you were:
- Injured and in the hospital at the time of your trial
- Active in military service
- In jail already at the time of your court date
Allow us to investigate your case to see if you can avoid a conviction for failure to appear in Los Angeles.
Build a Defense for DUI Charges in Los Angeles
Avoiding a DUI court date in Los Angeles does not make the charges go away. However, you may address a DUI charge head-on by working with a legal team. We’re ready to deal with all aspects of your DUI cases. Contact us for help with your:
- Arraignment hearing
- Bail hearing
- Pre-trial hearings
- Motion hearings
We’re ready to get to work on your defense. Let us work to show that you were not operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. We may also show that a police officer stopped you without due cause. Focus on building your defense as soon as you are arrested for a DUI to avoid missing a court date.
Ask a Lawyer What Happens if You Don’t Go to Court for a DUI
You may face criminal charges if you don’t go to court for a DUI in Los Angeles. A judge may also issue a bench warrant for your arrest. Take charge of your situation after a DUI arrest by contacting a law firm right now. A Los Angeles DUI lawyer may discuss your legal options with a free consultation.
Learn more by calling (310) 896-2724. You may also complete our online contact form.
