FAILURE TO APPEAR IN COURT CAN LEAD TO YOUR ARREST AND INCARCERATION, SEE
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T SHOW UP FOR COURT.
If you cannot appear in Municipal Court, do as many of the the following as soon
as you can:
- If you are a witness, and were subpoenaed or asked to appear by the prosecuting
attorney, call the prosecuting attorney, see FREQUENTLY NEEDED PHONE NUMBERS. When you call, be
sure to have the case number from the subpoena, if you have one. (The case number is
usually in the upper right-hand corner of the subpoena. Case numbers beginning with a
"C" are handled by the county prosecutor. The city prosecutor handles most other
cases.)
- If you are a witness, and were subpoenaed or asked to appear by the defense
attorney, call the defense attorney; if it is a public defender, see FREQUENTLY NEEDED
PHONE NUMBERS. When you call, be sure to have the case number from the
subpoena, if you have one. (The case number is usually in the upper right-hand corner of
the subpoena.)
- If you are a defendant or a party to a case and have an attorney representing
you, call the attorney as soon as you know you cannot appear as scheduled.
- Call the bailiff in the courtroom in which you are scheduled to appear. If you don't
know which courtroom, see HOW
TO FIND WHEN & WHERE A CASE WILL BE HEARD. See also COURTROOM PHONE
NUMBERS. Explain to the bailiff why you cannot appear. (If you have an
attorney, ask the attorney first if you should call the courtroom. If so, be sure to tell
the bailiff your attorney's name.) Please be aware that an arrest warrant may still be
issued for your failure to appear, even if you call the courtroom.
- Unless your attorney tells you otherwise, send a relative or a trusted friend to
appear in court and explain why you cannot appear. Be sure your friend or relative knows
where you are supposed to appear, see HOW TO FIND WHEN & WHERE A CASE WILL BE HEARD. Again, an arrest warrant may still be issued for
your failure to appear.
|