What Should I Do If I Miss Court in Norfolk? What are the Penalties for Failing to Appear in Court in Virginia? How Do Failures to Appear Affect My Bond or Any Future Criminal Cases?

According to the Code of Virginia “whoever…willfully fails to appear before any court or judicial officer as required, shall, after notice to all interested parties, incur a forfeiture of any security which may have been given or pledged for his or her release, unless one of the parties can show good cause for excusing the…

Should I Turn Myself In? What Should I Do Before I Turn Myself In?

A commonly asked question of criminal defense attorneys is whether a person should turn himself or herself in on an outstanding warrant and what that person should do prior to submitting to authorities. Depending on many factors, a person is generally more likely to receive a bond (and be out of custody while their attorney…

Will I Get a Bond? Will My Family Member Get a Bond From the Magistrate?

A magistrate is a judicial officer who makes one of the most important decisions in any criminal case: whether there is probable cause to issue an arrest warrant. If you are arrested, the magistrate is also the most important person after the initial contact with police because the magistrate makes the first bond determination. Your…