What to Do If You Missed a Court Date in Minnesota

Overview

If you missed a court date in Minnesota, the judge most likely issued a bench warrant for your arrest. This means law enforcement can arrest you at any time – during a traffic stop, at your home, or at work. A missed court date can also lead to additional criminal charges for failure to appear (FTA) under Minn. Stat. § 629.01 .

The good news is that you have options. In many cases, you can resolve a bench warrant without being arrested by contacting the court or an attorney and appearing voluntarily. The sooner you act, the better your chances of a good outcome.

Who this guide is for: Anyone in Minnesota who has missed a court date – whether for a criminal case, traffic ticket, or other matter – and wants to understand what happens next and how to fix it.

Do I Have a Warrant?

When you miss a court date, the judge may issue a bench warrant. Here is what you need to know:

• Bench warrant: An order for your arrest issued by a judge because you did not appear in court as required. This is the most common result of a missed court date.
• Body-only warrant: A type of bench warrant that means you will be brought before the judge but cannot post bail at the police station. You must see the judge first.
• Failure to appear (FTA): A notation on your court record that you did not show up. In criminal cases, this can be charged as a separate offense.
• Bail forfeiture: If you posted bail or bond before the missed date, the court may keep that money.

How to Check for Warrants

You can find out if there is a warrant for your arrest in several ways:

• Call the court administrator in the county where your case was filed. Explain that you missed a court date and ask about your case status.
• Check online at Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). Some case information is available to the public.
• Check county warrant lists. Some counties publish active warrant lists on their sheriff’s office website.
• Contact an attorney. A lawyer can check your case status and advise you on next steps before you appear.

What Happens After a Missed Court Date

The consequences of missing court depend on the type of case:

Criminal cases (misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, felony):

• A bench warrant is issued for your arrest
• Your bail or bond may be forfeited
• You may face a new criminal charge for failure to appear
• For felony cases, failure to appear can be charged as a felony under Minn. Stat. § 609.49
• The judge may set higher bail when you do appear

Traffic tickets and petty misdemeanors:

• A bench warrant may be issued
• Your driver’s license may be suspended until you resolve the ticket
• Additional fines and late fees may be added

Civil cases (small claims, housing, family):

• If you are the defendant and miss a hearing, the court may enter a default judgment against you
• If you are the plaintiff and miss a hearing, your case may be dismissed
• Warrants are generally not issued in civil cases, but there are exceptions (such as contempt of court in family cases)

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Confirm There Is a Warrant

Before you take action, confirm your case status:

• Call the court administrator in the county where your case is pending
• Ask whether a warrant has been issued and what type it is (bench warrant or body-only)
• Ask about the bail amount – this tells you how much you may need to pay to be released if arrested
• Write down your case number and the name of the judge assigned to your case

If you are not sure which county your case is in, check any paperwork you received from the court, or search Minnesota Court Records Online.

Step 2: Contact an Attorney

An attorney can help you resolve a bench warrant more smoothly. A lawyer can:

• Contact the court on your behalf to arrange a voluntary appearance
• File a motion to quash (cancel) the warrant before you appear
• Argue for lower bail or release on your own recognizance
• Explain what happened to the judge and ask for leniency
• Help you avoid additional charges for failure to appear

If you cannot afford an attorney, contact Legal Aid at 1-888-354-5522 or the Volunteer Lawyers Network at 612-752-6677. You may also qualify for a public defender if you are facing criminal charges.

Tip

Even if you plan to represent yourself, a brief consultation with an attorney can help you understand your options and avoid mistakes.

Step 3: Arrange to Appear Voluntarily

Appearing voluntarily is much better than being arrested. Judges generally treat people more favorably when they come in on their own. There are several ways to do this:

• Walk-in appearance: Go to the courthouse during business hours and tell the clerk you have a warrant and want to see the judge. Some courts have specific days or times for warrant appearances.
• Attorney-arranged appearance: Your attorney contacts the court to schedule a time for you to appear and resolve the warrant.
• Motion to quash: Your attorney files a written request asking the judge to cancel the warrant and reschedule your hearing. The judge may grant this without requiring you to be arrested.

If you have a body-only warrant, you cannot simply post bail. You must appear before the judge. An attorney can sometimes get a body-only warrant changed to a regular bench warrant before you appear.

• Bring a valid photo ID to the courthouse
• Be prepared to explain why you missed your court date
• Dress appropriately and arrive early

Step 4: Post Bail If Required

The judge may require you to post bail before releasing you. Bail is money held by the court to ensure you come back for your next hearing.

• The court administrator can tell you the bail amount before you appear
• You can pay bail in cash at the courthouse or jail
• A bail bondsman can post bail for you in exchange for a fee (typically 10% of the bail amount, which is non-refundable)
• The judge may allow you to be released on your own recognizance (without bail) if you have ties to the community and a low risk of not returning

If the judge sets new conditions of release (such as no alcohol use or check-ins with probation), you must follow them carefully.

Step 5: Attend Your Rescheduled Hearing

Once the warrant is resolved, the court will schedule a new hearing date. You must appear at this hearing.

• Write down the new date, time, and courtroom number
• Set multiple reminders on your phone or calendar
• If you have an attorney, confirm the date with them
• Arrive at least 15 minutes early
• Bring any documents the court or your attorney has asked for

At the rescheduled hearing, the judge may address your failure to appear as well as the original case. Be honest about why you missed court and show that you are taking the matter seriously.

Step 6: Avoid Future Missed Court Dates

Missing court a second time will result in much harsher consequences. Protect yourself:

• Put every court date in your calendar immediately when you receive it
• Set multiple reminders – one week before, one day before, and the morning of
• Keep all court paperwork in one place where you can find it
• If you change your address or phone number, notify the court and your attorney
• If you have a genuine emergency on the day of court (such as a medical emergency), call the court before your hearing time to explain. The court may grant a continuance.
• If you need to reschedule, ask your attorney to file a motion for continuance in advance

“I forgot” is not a valid legal excuse for missing court. If you are having trouble keeping track of dates, ask a family member or friend to help you, or set up a system of reminders.

Key Deadlines

Deadline	Details
Original court date	You must appear on the date listed on your summons or notice. Missing this date triggers the warrant.
As soon as possible after missing court	Contact the court or an attorney immediately. There is no formal deadline, but acting quickly leads to better outcomes.
Rescheduled hearing date	After resolving the warrant, you will receive a new court date. Missing this date will result in another warrant and more serious consequences.
30 days after default judgment (civil cases)	In civil cases, you may have a limited time to file a motion to vacate a default judgment entered because of your absence.

Costs & Fees

Item	Cost
Bail amount	Set by the judge; varies by case (can range from $0 to thousands of dollars)
Bail bondsman fee	Typically 10% of bail amount (non-refundable)
Additional fines for failure to appear	Varies; up to $1,000 for misdemeanor FTA
Driver’s license reinstatement fee (if suspended)	$20 - $680 depending on the type of suspension
Attorney fees for warrant resolution	Varies; some attorneys offer flat fees for simple warrant matters

When to Get a Lawyer

You can resolve a simple warrant on your own by appearing at the courthouse. However, consider getting a lawyer if:

• You are facing felony charges or a felony failure to appear charge
• You have a body-only warrant and cannot post bail
• You want an attorney to file a motion to quash the warrant before you appear
• You are worried about being taken into custody when you appear
• You have multiple warrants in different counties
• You need help preparing for your rescheduled hearing

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for a public defender.

Related Guides

Getting a Public Defender in Minnesota

A plain-language guide to understanding your right to a public defender in Minnesota, including eligibility, how to apply, and what to expect.

DUI / DWI Charges in Minnesota

A plain-language guide to understanding DUI and DWI charges in Minnesota, including penalties, license consequences, and the court process.

Criminal Record Expungement in Minnesota

Learn how to seal or expunge a criminal record in Minnesota. Plain-language guide covering eligibility, the step-by-step process, costs, and where to get help.

Where to Get Help

• Minnesota Board of Public Defense – If you face criminal charges and cannot afford a lawyer. Visit pubdef.state.mn.us
• Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-Help Center – Court forms and information. Call 651-296-0017 or visit mncourts.gov/selfhelp
• County court administrator – Call the court directly in the county where your case is filed. Find contact information at mncourts.gov/Find-Courts
• 211 United Way – Dial 211 for referrals to local legal and social services

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be arrested if I call the court about my warrant? No. Calling the court will not lead to your arrest. Court staff will give you information about your case and tell you what you need to do. They deal with missed court dates regularly and can help you understand your options.

Can a bench warrant be removed without going to court? In most cases, no. You will need to appear before a judge to have the warrant resolved. However, an attorney can sometimes file a motion to quash the warrant, which the judge may grant without requiring you to appear in custody. This depends on the type of case and the judge.

What if I missed court because of a genuine emergency? If you had a legitimate reason for missing court – such as a hospitalization, car accident, or family emergency – bring documentation to your rescheduled hearing. The judge may excuse the absence and not impose additional penalties. The key is to contact the court as soon as you are able.

Will a missed court date show up on a background check? The bench warrant itself may show up on background checks. If you are charged with failure to appear as a separate offense, that charge and any conviction will also appear. Resolving the warrant quickly reduces the impact on your record.

What if I missed a court date for a traffic ticket? For traffic tickets and petty misdemeanors, the consequences are generally less severe but still serious. The court may suspend your driver’s license until you resolve the ticket. You may also owe additional fines and late fees. Contact the court to ask about paying the fine or scheduling a new hearing.

Can I be arrested in another state for a Minnesota bench warrant? It depends. For felony warrants, Minnesota may request extradition from another state. For misdemeanor warrants, extradition is less common but the warrant will still show up in national law enforcement databases. You could be detained during a traffic stop or background check in another state.