Missing a court date is common, and it is usually fixable.
When you miss a court date on a ticket, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest, notify the Department of Revenue to suspend your license, or both. The longer it sits, the harder it gets. Calling a lawyer right away usually makes this a short problem.
What can happen after a missed court date
| Consequence | What it means |
|---|---|
| Warrant for your arrest | You can be arrested at a traffic stop or anywhere police run your name, and you may have to post bond |
| License suspension | For many moving violations, the court can notify the Department of Revenue, which suspends your license until the case is resolved |
| License renewal blocked | The Department of Revenue may refuse to renew your license until the court clears it |
| New charges | Driving on a license suspended this way can lead to a driving while suspended charge |
How we fix it
- Find out what’s open. We check Case.net and the court’s records for warrants, suspensions and any other open cases.
- Enter our appearance. We tell the court we represent you.
- Ask for a warrant recall. In many municipal courts, we can get the warrant recalled and a new court date set without you being arrested.
- Resolve the original ticket. We then work the underlying ticket the same way we would any other, aiming for a no-point outcome.
- Clear your license. Once the case is resolved, the court notifies the Department of Revenue so the suspension can be lifted.
If your license was suspended, see our guide to license reinstatement. If you were charged with driving while suspended, see driving while suspended or revoked.
Missed court date FAQ
Will I be arrested if I go to the courthouse?
It’s possible with an active warrant. Calling a lawyer first is usually safer, because we can often get the warrant recalled before you go anywhere.
How do I know if I have a warrant?
Many cases show on Missouri Case.net, but not every municipal court posts warrants online. We can check for you.
I have missed court dates in several cities. Can you handle all of them?
Yes. Old tickets in multiple St. Louis-area municipal courts are common, and we can work through them together.
Talk to a St. Louis traffic lawyer
Send us a photo of your ticket or court notice and we’ll tell you what we can do, free. Call or text (314) 526-3779 or contact us online. See all the tickets we handle on our St. Louis traffic ticket lawyer page.
