What Happens If You Miss a Court Date in Philadelphia?
Missing a court date in Philadelphia — whether it’s for a traffic ticket, a misdemeanor, or a serious felony — can lead to serious legal consequences. Many people don’t realize how quickly a small mistake can escalate into a warrant, additional charges, or even jail time.
Mark D. Hauser
7/29/20252 min read
As a criminal defense attorney with over 30 years of experience, I’ve helped many clients fix missed court dates before things spiral out of control. If you’ve missed one — or think you might — here’s what you need to know.
🔹 What Happens Immediately After You Miss Court?
In most criminal and traffic matters, the judge will:
Issue a bench warrant for your arrest
Forfeit your bail (if bail was posted)
Schedule a future hearing, but only after you’re taken into custody or turn yourself in
In summary: missing court doesn’t make the case go away — it makes it worse.
🔹 What Is a Bench Warrant?
A bench warrant is a type of arrest warrant issued by a judge when you fail to appear (FTA) for a scheduled court date. Once issued, it:
Allows police to arrest you at home, work, or during a traffic stop
Flags your name in law enforcement databases
Prevents you from resolving your case until the warrant is cleared
In Philadelphia, even low-level offenses like retail theft or DUI can trigger a warrant if you don’t show up.
🔹 What Should You Do if You Missed Court?
Act quickly. You have a better chance of avoiding arrest and fixing the issue if you address it early.
✅ Call a criminal defense lawyer immediately
✅ Arrange to turn yourself in voluntarily (this may keep you out of jail)
✅ File a motion to quash the warrant or request a new court date
✅ Explain your reason (if it’s valid, like medical emergencies or wrong notice, a judge may be lenient)
The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to resolve — and the less sympathetic the court may be.
🔹 What Are the Long-Term Consequences?
Failing to appear in court can lead to:
Additional charges (FTA is sometimes charged as a separate offense)
Loss of bail money
Driver’s license suspension
Harsher penalties if convicted of the original charge
Damage to your credibility with the judge
🔹 Can a Lawyer Help?
Absolutely. A defense lawyer can:
Contact the court on your behalf
File paperwork to recall the warrant
Appear in court with you to explain the situation
Minimize or eliminate jail time if handled correctly
📞 Contact Mark D. Hauser, criminal defense attorney, today for a confidential case evaluation.