What are the rules and what can you do?

When you are charged with an offense, the Court can release you on your own recognizance or in exchange for paying a bond. Either way, the Court imposes certain conditions on your bond. You must appear at all court dates, you cannot break any criminal laws, and you cannot leave the state without court permission. Sometimes, the Court requires you to turn in all weapons along with your Firearm Owner’s Identification Card. Sometimes you must submit to a psychological evaluation or undergo treatment. You may be restrained from contacting certain people or appearing at certain places. You may not be allowed to drink or take drugs.

If you break a condition of your bond, you can be held in jail until your case is over. For example, if you miss a court date, the court can issue a bond forfeiture/warrant, meaning any money you paid is forfeit to the court and if you are picked up, you can be placed in jail. Another problem is if you have to leave the state either for a family emergency or to attend school or simply to take a vacation.

But the good news is there may be a solution. If you need to leave the state for any reason, an experienced criminal law attorney can petition the court to grant you permission to make your trip. If you inadvertently miss a court date, an attorney can ask the court to vacate the warrant against you so that you can remain free pending the resolution of your case. If you committed another crime, the State may petition to violate you on your bond. An attorney can help defend the underlying violation.

If you have questions about this or another related criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

Source: 725 ILCS 110-10

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)

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What can happen to you and what can you do?

In most Cook County criminal cases such as at the Skokie, Rolling Meadows and Maywood courthouses, attendance at court dates is mandatory. Failing to show up for court is a serious matter with serious consequences. The judge can issue a “bond forfeiture warrant.” That means any bond you may have posted will now belong to the State. Additionally, the court has now issued a warrant for your arrest.

If you did miss court, however, there is still hope. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can bring a motion before the court to vacate the bond forfeiture/warrant so that the new arrest warrant will be quashed and you can continue to defend your case under the old warrant. Be warned, however, that judges only have so much patience. If you continually miss court dates, it may be difficult to vacate a warrant if it becomes a habit.

If you missed a court date for a speeding ticket or other traffic offense, the court can find you guilty in your absence. You may be able to get the judgment against you vacated and make an appearance on your ticket. An experienced attorney can greatly assist you.

If you have an outstanding warrant for a criminal offense or if you missed a traffic ticket date, please feel free to contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or matt@mattkeenanlaw.com for assistance.

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves clients in the communities of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Palatine, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Wilmette and Winnetka.)

The post ‘WHAT IF I DON’T SHOW UP FOR COURT?”: BOND FORFEITURE WARRANTS appeared first on A SKOKIE CRIMINAL LAWYER EXPLAINS THE LAW 1-847-568-0160.