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    New Canaan Failure to Appear Lawyer

    If you have missed a court date, a New Canaan failure to appear lawyer can help resolve the issue and intervene with the court to help negate adverse consequences. Working with a top-ranked criminal lawyer now can prevent a great deal of costly problems in the future.

    Is Failure to Appear a Misdemeanor?

    The crime of failure to appear can be treated as either a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the circumstances. When someone misses a court appearance connected with an arrest for a misdemeanor, then the failure to appear is usually treated as a misdemeanor under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §53a-173. Failing to appear when required after a traffic offense can also be charged as misdemeanor failure to appear, if the traffic violation is one that is potentially punishable by imprisonment.

    Misdemeanor failure to appear is considered failure to appear in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Someone charged with a minor Class C misdemeanor or traffic offense may find themselves facing much more severe penalties if they miss a court date in connection with that offense. The penalties for failure to appear in the second degree include imprisonment for up to one year and a fine as high as $2,000. Thankfully, a New Canaan failure to appear lawyer can present evidence to mitigate the penalties.

    Can I Be Charged With a Felony for Missing Court?

    If you are charged with a felony, released on bail, and then fail to show up for court, you can be charged with failure to appear in the first degree, a felony offense. Similarly, if you were convicted of a felony and are placed on probation, missing a meeting with a probation officer can be treated as first-degree failure to appear.

    Failure to appear in the first degree is a Class D felony. Those convicted of this offense face up to five years in prison, as well as a fine as high as $5,000.

    How Can I Defend Against My Charges?

    To be convicted of failure to appear, both as a felony and a misdemeanor, the prosecutor will have to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you willfully missed court. A failure to appear lawyer in New Canaan can collect and present evidence to show that an absence was not willful and that therefore, it should be not be treated as a crime.

    Consult a New Canaan Failure to Appear Attorney

    An experienced New Canaan failure to appear lawyer can work to resolve your charge and minimize any negative consequences so that you can face the future without worry. Call Mark Sherman Law now for a consultation to learn more about your options if you have missed a court date.