People speed every day. Sometimes they don’t realize they’re doing it and other times they do. Regardless, police generate a hefty sum by ticketing speeders.
Sometimes people don’t pay their tickets after receiving them. Maybe they forgot, maybe they lost it, or maybe they simply don’t care. Either way, the police are not going to come and arrest you for not paying your tickets. Usually, a person who doesn’t pay their tickets is called into court to answer for it, and that’s where things get sticky.
You’ll probably never need a bail bond because of unpaid tickets. But, if you’re given a court date and fail to show up, you just might. Failure to appear is a crime the police can and will arrest you for.
California Penal Code 1320(a) PC makes it a crime to willingly fail to show up for court. Interestingly, failure to appear is charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the crime. For example, if the crime a person is being charged with is a misdemeanor and they dont show up for court, their failure to appear will be charged as a misdemeanor. If the underlying crime is a felony, then failing to appear is also a felony.
Misdemeanor charges of failure to appear typically result in up to 6 months in jail if you’re convicted. It may or may not be added to any additional time sentenced for the underlying crime. For felony failure to appear, the punishment is up to one year in jail or possibly up to three years in state prison.
It’s important to note that to be charged with failure to appear, one must willfully decide to skip court. If there’s an emergency or something comes up, it’s possible to avoid charges. However, you need a really good reason.
If you know someone who has been arrested and taken into custody on failure to appear charges and you want to get them out of jail fast, Santa Clarita Bail Bonds can help. Give us a call any time of day or night. We’re always here when you need us.