If you skip court on a misdemeanor, and turn yourself in a year later will you get arrested on the spot?

Question

Moving violations, not drugs.

Answer 1

Maybe,,,,but that doesn't mean they put you in cuffs and behind bars. Call the D.A. and ask to talk to the attorney who prosecuted the case. (They'll want the file #) Tell him what happened--whatever it is--and that you want to turn yourself in and pay the fines you owe. Might want to toss in a request for a payment schedule because you now owe way more than you did.

He'll tell you whether or not a bench warrant was executed. If not--no problem. You won't be arrested. If there is, you still just show up for booking. You'll be released on your own recognizance. You won't spend anytime in jail. It's expensive to keep you in jail--they don't want to do that unless it's necessary.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Yes, skipping court dates does result in bench warrants issued,
but once you"turn yourself in", you will generally
just get assigned a new court date.

Usually, you don't need to go to the police station--just
go to the Courthouse and see the Clerk of the Court
in the Traffic Division.

BTW, except for things like DUI, moving violations
are not generally misdemeanors.

Answer 4

You may be arrested any time after the issuance of a warrant for Failure to Appear. The statute of limitations on the crime stops running and you may be arrested in any jurisdiction the warrant encompasses. Usually, on misdemeanor crimes, the warrant will encompass the state in which the crime is alleged or it may encompass contiguous states as well. Yes, you can be handcuffed and taken to jail in the courtroom, the hall outside the court room, or any other place. Avoiding or ignoring a court appearance date is foolish. Turn yourself in and get it taken care of as soon as possible!.

Answer 5

If you fail to show up in court most municipal governments will immediately issue a warrant for your arrest.