What Happens If You Miss a Court Date in Cole County?
It happens more often than people think — a missed date, a confusing notice, or a scheduling mix-up. But in Cole County, failing to appear in court is serious business.
Here’s what to expect if you miss a court date in Jefferson City or Cole County — and what you can do to minimize the damage.
Step 1: The Judge Issues a Warrant
When you miss your scheduled appearance, the judge almost always issues a warrant for your arrest. That warrant authorizes law enforcement to take you into custody at any time — even during a traffic stop or while renewing your driver’s license.
Bench warrants don’t expire until the court recalls them.
Step 2: Additional Charges or Bond Forfeiture
Missing court can lead to:
A new failure to appear charge.
Higher bond amounts or denial of bond on release.
Forfeiture of any bond money you already paid.
The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to fix the situation without an arrest.
Step 3: Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney Immediately
A lawyer can often contact the court or prosecutor and request a “motion to withdraw” the warrant. This shows responsibility and prevents being taken into custody unexpectedly.
In many Cole County cases, judges are more lenient when the person takes quick action and hires counsel promptly.
Step 4: Avoid Further Missed Appearances
Once your lawyer resolves the warrant, you’ll receive a new court date. From there:
Arrive early and dress respectfully.
Keep copies of all paperwork.
Always verify your next court date before leaving the courtroom.
NEXT STEPS:
At Ernst Law LLC, Sarah regularly helps clients fix missed court appearances and resolve warrants discreetly. She understands how stressful it feels to be unsure whether there’s a warrant for your arrest — and she can help clear it up quickly.
If you think you may have missed court, call immediately at (573) 415-2441 or reach out via www.ernstlawllc.com/contact.
