Failure to Appear in court (FTA)

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If you’re reading this now, chances are you missed a court date and just learned that your license is suspended as a result. When you fail to appear for a court date in Georgia, the court will notify you that if the FTA is not addressed and lifted within 30 days, the Department of Driver Services (DDS) will suspend your driver’s license and the court may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. 

This is one of many reasons why it is in your best interest to hire an Atlanta traffic ticket lawyer who is familiar with the process and help to avoid any of the negative consequences you’re facing. Here is a list of the top issues and negative consequences you will face as a result of failing to appear: 

• Driver's License Suspension. Failing  to appear in court will trigger a license suspension, which will not be lifted until the FTA is cleared or in some instances, until the case is resolved. If your license is suspended, you cannot drive (AT ALL) until the FTA is lifted and the suspension withdrawn. If you were to be pulled over or stopped for any reason driving while your license is suspended, you will likely be arrested and face the far more serious charge of driving with a suspended license. 

• Bench Warrant. A bench warrant is a specific type of arrest warrant ordered by a judge against a defendant. These are commonly issued when a defendant fails to appear in court for a court date. This then triggers immediate attempts to find the defendant and arrest them. Typically, these are entered into a statewide computer system used by all law enforcement agencies. This means that you’re in danger of arrest even if you’re miles away from the jurisdiction where you initially failed to appear.  

• Additional Fines and Fees. Once  your license is suspended for failing to appear, you will likely have to pay a reinstatement fee to DDS once the FTA is lifted in order to drive again. Many courts will also impose an “FTA fee” that must be paid to lift the FTA and get the case back in good standing. Some courts will also require you to pay a “cash bond” to lift the FTA and withdraw the suspension.  

How a lawyer can help if you have failed to appear.   

An experienced Atlanta traffic ticket lawyer is well-versed in this process and can help to avoid many of the negative implications of failing to appear and do so quickly. Moreover, we can also likely resolve your failure to appear without your active participation or presence in court to settle the matter. This is especially helpful if you live out-of-state or far from the jurisdiction where the case is pending. 

Consultations are always free, and we are available 24/7 to help you through this process. Contact us today to discuss your options and plan a path forward today.