What can you do if you miss court?

Asked by: Gail Metz  |  Last update: November 6, 2025
Score: 5/5 (38 votes)

If you missed your court date, you should call the court as soon as possible to explain your absence and offer to appear in court immediately. If you wait to contact the court, you could be facing a warrant and additional charges. After missing your court date, you also may want to call a criminal defense attorney.

What's the best excuse for missing court?

If you need to miss a court case, a valid excuse might include something like a sudden illness, a family emergency, or an unavoidable conflict, like a pre-scheduled medical procedure. It's important to inform the court right away and provide any supporting documentation, or you risk facing penalties for not attending.

Can you go to jail for being late to court?

No, generally speaking, you will not go to jail for missing a court appearance. If you miss a court appearance, the Court will first issue a bailable warannt to secure your presence. Not appearing on this bailable warrant, the court will now issue non-bailable warrant to force you to appear before the Court.

What is an acceptable excuse for missing court UK?

If you are too sick to show up, for example, inform your criminal defence solicitor right away and get a detailed doctor's note. In most cases, it will only be acceptable to not show up if you are so sick that it requires you to see a doctor.

What happens if you get summoned to court and don't go?

Contempt of Court

If you don't show up to court after being properly subpoenaed, the judge may view this as a direct challenge to the court's authority. As a result, you may face legal penalties, such as fines or even jail time.

What Do I Do If I Missed My Court Date?

16 related questions found

What happens if you miss a court summons UK?

If you have missed a court date then a warrant will be issued for your arrest. It is advisable to go to your local police station or Magistrates Court as soon as possible to hand yourself in.

Can you say no to a court summons?

It is not an order, so you do not have to do what it says. But, if you ignore a summons, you will likely lose the case against you. The court will usually decide the lawsuit in favor of the person suing you.

What do I do when I miss court?

If you missed your court date, you should call the court as soon as possible to explain your absence and offer to appear in court immediately. If you wait to contact the court, you could be facing a warrant and additional charges.

What to do if I can't attend court UK?

If you are too sick to attend court, first, inform your criminal defence solicitor as soon as possible. Your solicitor will ask you to provide a sick note from your doctor to prove that you are unwell. The sick note must contain the following information: The date on which the medical practitioner examined you.

How long do you stay in jail for a warrant for missing court UK?

If convicted for failing to turn up at Court you could be sent to prison for up to 3 months. This is on top of any sentence that is imposed for the original offence for which you were on bail after failing to turn up at court.

What not to say to a judge?

Here are five things all defendants will want to avoid saying to a criminal judge:
  • 'I Did It. ' ...
  • 'They Didn't Tell Me...' ...
  • Expletives. ...
  • Lies, Lies, Lies. ...
  • 'I Will Represent Myself.

Can you go to jail without going to court?

Yes, you can absolutely go to jail at an arraignment in California.

Why do people miss court?

In the vast majority of cases, people miss court for reasons that should be understandable. There are logistical challenges, like not being able to miss work, lacking transportation to court, or not having childcare. People may not have recent or updated information about when or where to appear in court.

What to say and not say in court?

Don't lie about anything, not even white [small] lies. If you are discovered to be lying, the judge may find it hard to believe you when you are telling the truth. Don't argue with the questioner. Don't ask questions back: “What would you do if…”

Can I reschedule my court date over the phone in the UK?

How to Request a Change. If you need to change your court date due to a holiday, follow these steps: Notify the Court Immediately: Contact the court as soon as you realize there is a conflict. This can often be done via phone or email, but check the court's website for specific procedures.

What is an acceptable excuse for missing court?

you had a medical emergency, you were involved in a car accident or your car broke down on your way to court, there was a serious family crisis or emergency, the court made a scheduling error, and.

What are valid reasons to reschedule a court date in the UK?

However, there are a few reasons a judge might excuse your absence from court, which include:
  • The death of a loved one in your immediate family;
  • The sickness of a child or parent if you care for that person;
  • An emergency hospitalization;
  • Severe illness;

How long do you stay in jail for a warrant for missing court?

If you were a defendant in an ongoing criminal case and were arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear, you could potentially be held in custody until the completion of your trial. Depending on the complexity of the case and the court's docket, this period can span several months or longer.

What happens if you miss a court date UK?

If you miss court:

The court will ask the police to find and arrest you • You could be charged for missing court • You might have to stay in a police cell until you go to court • You might not get bail in future • The trial could start without you and you won't be able to tell your side of the story.

How do you apologize for missing court date?

Example: “I am writing to apologize for my failure to appear in court on [date] for case number [case number].” Explanation and Responsibility:Briefly explain the circumstances that led to your failure to appear, but avoid making excuses. Take full responsibility for your actions.

How many times can you reschedule a court date?

There is no magic number of times you can ask. It depends on the judge and the reason for the request. You can't keep going to court asking for a continuance for the same reason over and over again.

What happens if you ignore a court summons UK?

If you're found to be in contempt of court, you could go to prison for up to 2 years, get a fine, or both.

What happens if you don't say anything in court?

If you refuse to answer a question that the judge allows, you can be found in contempt of court and sent to jail for a short time.

What happens if I don't receive a court summons?

If you did not receive your court papers, then the plaintiff can ask the judge to proceed with the default judgment in your case. However, they must prove that the process server served you with the notice of claim and has a valid claim against you.

Can you decline a court summons?

Once you have been given the subpoena, you must legally oblige. If you don't understand your obligations, you should consult a federal criminal defense lawyer serving San Francisco, CA as soon as possible. There are a few conditions which may allow you to forego a court ordered testimony.