What Happens if You Miss a Court Date in Arizona?

Missing a Court Date in Arizona Can Have Serious Consequences.

At R&R Law Group, we often hear the question: “What happens if I don’t show up to court?” The answer depends on your situation, but in most cases, failing to appear can lead to a warrant for your arrest and additional penalties. Here’s what you need to know.

When You Have an Attorney

If you’ve hired an attorney, many times they can appear in court on your behalf, especially for misdemeanor cases. Your lawyer can request a continuance, negotiate with the prosecutor, or handle routine hearings without requiring your presence.
Exception: In felony cases, defendants are generally required to appear at every single court date.

When You Don’t Have an Attorney

If you miss court and do not have an attorney or if your attorney doesn’t know where you are, the judge will likely issue a warrant for your arrest.

• Bond amount: Judges usually attach a bond to the warrant, often between $200-$500 depending on the charge.
• Posting bond: To resolve the warrant, you may need to go to the courthouse, pay the bond, and get a new court date scheduled.

What Happens if You Miss More Than Once?

If you miss another court date after posting bond, the court will:

• Keep (forfeit) the bond money you already posted.
• Issue a new arrest warrant.
• Likely increase your bond amount (e.g., from $500 to $1,000).

This is the court’s way of reinforcing that you are expected to appear and answer the charges against you.

Arrest Warrants and Arizona Traffic Stops

If you have an active warrant and get pulled over, even for something minor like speeding, the officer can arrest you on the spot. You’ll then have to post the bond from jail in order to be released.

How We Can Help

If you’ve missed court, don’t panic…there are legal options. In some cases, our team can help quash a warrant without you posting the bond, depending on the charges and circumstances. We can also guide you on the best next steps to get back on track with your case.
The bottom line: Don’t ignore a missed court date. Call an attorney right away to avoid bigger problems down the road.
At R&R Law Group, we help clients throughout Arizona resolve missed court appearances, quash warrants, and move forward with their cases.
Contact us today to discuss your situation and protect your future.