If you don’t go to court for a DUI (driving under the influence), you may face a number of legal consequences. You may end up facing criminal charges and a bench warrant if the court charges you with failure to appear.
A Los Angeles DUI lawyer can provide more information about bench warrants and the risk of skipping your court date. 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 your court date by calling or completing our online contact form.
You Can Face Charges if You Don’t Go to Court for a DUI
You should know that avoiding your 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.
What Are the Penalties if You Don’t Go to Court?
If you are convicted of failure to appear because you did not go to court for a DUI, 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. Therefore, you may face additional fines, jail time, and the loss of your driving privileges.
Make sure you reach out to a defense attorney immediately after an arrest. A defense lawyer may keep track of your court dates to ensure you don’t miss any parts of your trial, helping you avoid additional penalties following an arrest.
You May Face a Bench Warrant for Failure to Appear for a DUI Trial
In addition to facing criminal charges, a judge may use a bench warrant as part of what happens if you don’t go to court for a DUI under Cal. Gov. Code § 72190.2. A bench warrant gives police officers the right to arrest you. Then, they can bring you back to court.
Bench warrants will not go away after a period of time in Los Angeles. They remain on your record until you resolve them. Therefore, you cannot “wait out” a bench warrant. You may handle a bench warrant if you turn yourself in to the court.
However, you may want to contact a defense attorney before you turn yourself in. An experienced attorney may work to resolve a bench warrant on your behalf. Your lawyer may take steps to limit the severity of the punishment you face for failure to appear.
Does Not Going to Court Impact Your Bail?
The court may increase your bail payment if you fail to appear for your trial. The court releases many drivers arrested for a DUI in California 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.
The court may even deny you bail in some cases. In this case, you must stay in jail until your trial. You may count on a defense lawyer to help during your bail hearing. Members of your legal team may work to show that you did not intentionally miss your court date.
Are There Valid Reasons to Not Go to Court?
A few valid reasons allow you to miss court for a DUI. 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
A lawyer can review your case to see if you can avoid a conviction for failure to appear in Los Angeles. An attorney can also explain in more detail what happens if you don’t go to court for a DUI.
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. An attorney can deal with all aspects of your DUI cases. A private lawyer or public defender may help with your:
Arraignment Hearing
During your arraignment hearing, you will learn about your charges and enter a not guilty plea, no contest plea, or guilty plea. Your attorney will provide information about the best way to handle your arraignment hearing to limit law issues.
Bail Hearing
An attorney can provide legal assistance with your bail hearing so you don’t have to feel nervous or decide to skip your court date. Your lawyer can answer questions like, “How much is bail for a DUI in California?”
Pre-Trial Hearings and Motion Hearings
A lawyer can help with all pre-trial hearings. Your attorney may file motions to block evidence or even file to have your charges dismissed. A lawyer can also explain what happens at a DUI pre-trial.
Discuss Your Legal Defense Today
A lawyer can work on your defense after a first-time DUI or if you face a subsequent charge. An attorney can show that you were not operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Your lawyer may also show that a police officer stopped you without due cause.
Focus on building your defense when arrested for a DUI to avoid missing your court date and accruing additional charges.
Ask a Lawyer What Happens if You Don’t Go to Court for a DUI
What happens if you don’t go to court for a DUI in California? You may face additional misdemeanor charges if you don’t go to court for a DUI in Los Angeles. A judge may also use a bench warrant for your arrest.
Take charge of your situation after a DUI arrest by contacting a law firm right now. You can learn more about your options when you call or complete our online contact form.
