Failure to Appear
/ˈfeɪljər tu əˈpɪr/
Definitions
- (n.) The criminal offense of not appearing in court as required, often after being summoned or released on bail.
The defendant was charged with failure to appear after missing their scheduled court date.
Forms
- failure to appear
- failures to appear
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Failure to appear typically triggers issuance of a bench warrant and may result in additional charges; precise procedural consequences vary by jurisdiction.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.