Missed Court? Don’t Panic. Here's What to Do.

If you missed your court date — take a breath. You're not alone, and there are ways to fix it before it spirals. This page will help you act fast to minimize damage and avoid jail time.

🚨 Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Call the Clerk’s Office ASAP – Ask if a bench warrant has been issued. Write down who you spoke to and what they said.
2. If there's a warrant, ask if you can turn yourself in and immediately request a new court date (called a "motion to quash warrant").
3. File a Motion to Reschedule – Explain why you missed it (illness, transportation, no notice, etc.). Attach proof if possible.
4. Show up immediately if the court is open — sometimes you can handle it same-day at the docket call.
5. Contact your bondsman or pretrial officer if you have one — failure to appear can also trigger bond forfeiture.

💡 Tips

• Act within 24–72 hours of the missed date if you can
• Keep records of everything you file or submit
• If arrested, politely tell the judge you intended to appear and are prepared now

📄 Coming Soon

• Motion to Quash Warrant (template)
• Motion to Reschedule Court Date
• Emergency Statement Template

🧠 Ask Sage

Need to write a fast letter to the judge or clerk? Ask Sage to help generate it in minutes.