An affiliate of Martine Law, serving Texas, Minnesota and North Carolina. In Texas, legal services are provided by Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys PLLC, 325 N St. Paul Street, Suite 3129, Dallas, TX 75201.
What happens if I miss court in Dallas County?
In this article
In short: The judge can forfeit your bond and a warrant can issue for your arrest (Code of Criminal Procedure 22.01). Intentionally or knowingly missing court can also be a new crime: a Class A misdemeanor if your case is a misdemeanor, or a third-degree felony if it is a felony (Penal Code 38.10). A reasonable excuse is a defense.
What should I do if I already missed a setting?
- Call your lawyer the same day. A lawyer can often contact the court about resetting the case or asking the judge to address the warrant.
- Gather proof of why you missed, such as hospital records, a tow receipt or a notice with the wrong date. Penal Code 38.10(c) makes a reasonable excuse a defense to the failure to appear charge.
- If you used a bail bond company, contact it. The surety is also notified of the forfeiture.
- Do not wait for the warrant to be served at a traffic stop or at work.
What is a bond forfeiture?
When a defendant who is bound by bail fails to appear, the court can declare the bail forfeited and enter a judgment against the defendant and the sureties (Code of Criminal Procedure 22.01, 22.02). That judgment can later be set aside or reduced in some situations, which is why acting quickly matters.
Where are Dallas County criminal cases heard?
Most Dallas County criminal settings are at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Blvd. Your bond paperwork lists the court number. Check it before every setting, since courtrooms and dates can change.
Where are these cases heard outside Dallas?
Misdemeanor cases are heard in the county-level criminal courts, and felonies in the district courts, of the county where the offense is alleged to have happened. We handle cases from our only office, in downtown Dallas, in 12 North Texas counties. Each county page lists the courthouse, the prosecutor's office and the jail: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, Johnson, Parker, Wise, Hunt, Navarro.
Where are these cases heard in Dallas County?
People arrested in Dallas County are usually booked at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, where the person must be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours after arrest. Bail is addressed if allowed by law; release is not automatic. Misdemeanors are heard in the Dallas County Criminal Courts and felonies in the Criminal District Courts, both at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Blvd. The Dallas County District Attorney's Office prosecutes both.
How do I get started?
Criminal defense consultations are free. Call (214) 239-2013 or start a chat.
Last updated October 2026
Common questions
Is missing court a separate crime in Texas?
It can be. Penal Code 38.10 makes intentionally or knowingly failing to appear an offense, with the level based on the underlying case.
Will I lose my bond money?
The court can forfeit the bond, though a forfeiture can sometimes be set aside or reduced.
What if I was in the hospital?
A reasonable excuse is a defense to the failure to appear charge under 38.10(c). Keep the records.
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This page provides general information about Texas law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.