So, you’ve missed a court date in Texas. Maybe you forgot, maybe you didn’t think it was a big deal, or maybe life just got in the way. We get it, it happens, but whatever the reason for missing your court date, the unfortunate fact of the matter is that you’re now in hot water.
Failure to appear in Texas is no joke and can land you in more trouble than you’d think. But don’t panic just yet. At Thiessen Law Firm, we’ve seen it all, and we’re here to help you understand what happens next and how to get back on track.
Continue reading to find out more about failure to appear in Texas or call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 to get your failure to appear charge dismissed!
Defining a failure to appear charge in Texas
What exactly is a failure to appear charge in Texas? Thankfully, the definition is pretty straightforward. If you’ve been summoned to court, whether for a traffic violation, a misdemeanor, or something more serious, you’re legally required to show up. Failure to appear (FTA) happens when you do not fulfill that obligation — and that doesn’t sit well with judges or law enforcement.
In Texas, this charge isn’t just a slap on the wrist; it’s a criminal offense, meaning you’re stacking another charge on top of whatever you were originally supposed to appear for. This is a fast track to making your legal situation much more complicated and raising the stakes for the impact on your future.
FTA charges generally fall into two categories: one for traffic tickets and minor offenses and another for more serious criminal matters. Either way, failing to appear tells the court that you’re not taking your legal responsibilities seriously, and they will act accordingly.
Learn more about the Texas failure to appear statute of limitations
What happens if you fail to appear in court in Texas?
You might be wondering, “Okay, so I missed my court date. Now what?” Well, if you don’t act quickly, things can quickly spiral out of control. First off, the court will likely issue a bench warrant for your arrest. That means law enforcement can pick you up anytime, anywhere, and haul you into court in cuffs. Imagine getting arrested at work or while you’re out grabbing groceries. Not a fun scenario, right?
But it doesn’t stop there. If you’ve got a bench warrant, you’re not only facing the original charges — you’re also facing the consequences of failing to appear. Depending on what your original charge was, this could mean additional fines, jail time, or even a suspension of your Texas driver’s license. The court might also tack on a separate FTA charge, meaning you could end up with two convictions instead of one. If you’ve got bail posted, you can kiss that money goodbye because skipping out on court will forfeit it.
Bottom line: Failure to appear doesn’t just make things more complicated — it can make your entire legal situation much worse. Don’t think for a second that the court will just let it slide. They won’t.
Is failure to appear a felony in Texas?
Whether or not your failure to appear is considered a felony depends on the underlying charge that got you into court in the first place. If you were supposed to show up for a misdemeanor, then your FTA will generally be a misdemeanor too, but if you were scheduled to appear for a felony charge, your FTA will also be a felony.
Why does this matter? Because the stakes are already high, getting slapped with a FTA will only make them higher. Felony charges in Texas are no joke. They can carry severe penalties, including hefty fines and significant jail time. If your failure to appear is linked to a felony, the courts are going to come down hard, and you could be facing a whole new set of problems.
Felony charges are not just about the immediate legal consequences. Having a felony on your record can screw up your life in a big way. Think about the impact on your job, your family, and your future. It’s not something you can just brush off. And if you get charged with failure to appear on top of your felony, you can likely kiss any leniency from the prosecution goodbye.
So if you’re dealing with a potential felony FTA, it’s time to get serious and call in the best criminal defense attorney in Houston that you can possibly find to handle your case.
How long do you go to jail for failure to appear in Texas?
Do you go to jail for failure to appear at all? As mentioned above, the answer depends on the original charge. Even if you’re looking at misdemeanor FTA charges, if you didn’t show up for your court date, you could be facing up to six months in jail, plus fines that could go as high as $4,000.
If you were supposed to appear for a felony and failed to appear in court, the consequences are even more severe: from 180 days to two years in a state jail facility, plus fines that can reach up to $10,000. And don’t forget, this is on top of whatever penalties you were already facing for the original charge. You’re not just doubling down on your problems — you’re multiplying them.
In some cases, especially if this is your first FTA and you’ve got a reasonable excuse, a skilled attorney might be able to reduce the penalties or even get dismissed charges. But don’t count on that happening without some serious legal muscle on your side. This is Texas, after all, and they don’t play around when it comes to skipping out on court.
Continue reading: Can you go to jail over a misdemeanor?
How do I clear a failure to appear in Texas?
If you’ve missed your court date and now find yourself in the hot seat, what can you do to fix this mess? First things first: don’t ignore it. The longer you wait, the worse it gets. If there’s a bench warrant out for your arrest, it’s not going to magically disappear — you need to take action, and you need to do it fast.
Another option might be to pay any outstanding fines associated with the original charge, which could lessen the severity of your FTA consequences. But remember, this isn’t something we recommend doing on your own. You’re going to need a legal expert to guide you through the process and make sure you’re not digging yourself into a deeper hole.
The best move is to contact an attorney ASAP. At Thiessen Law Firm, we’ve got the experience and know-how to navigate these murky waters. We can help you negotiate with the court, potentially get the bench warrant lifted, and work on reducing or even dismissing the FTA charge. Depending on your situation, you might be able to “turn yourself in” by appearing in court voluntarily. This shows the judge that you’re taking the matter seriously, and it could work in your favor.
Facing charges or fines from a failure to appear in Texas? Call Thiessen Law Firm to clear your good name.
Being up against a failure to appear in Texas can make you feel cornered, but it’s not the end of the world. Whether you’ve missed a court date for a traffic ticket or something much more serious, you need to act fast to get things under control. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to untangle the mess. That’s where Thiessen Law Firm comes in.
We’re not here to judge — we’re here to fight for you. We’ve seen how quickly a simple mistake can snowball into a full-blown legal crisis. But with the right strategy and a relentless legal team in your corner, you can turn things around.
Don’t let a failure to appear charge ruin your life. Call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 or contact us online for a free consultation.
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