If you’ve ever tossed a traffic ticket into your glovebox and forgotten about it, you’re not alone. But in California, forgetting to deal with a traffic citation can lead to much more than a late fee—it could result in a misdemeanor criminal charge for failure to appear (FTA), and even the suspension of your driver’s license.
In Southern California, where driving is often a necessity, a suspended license can derail your job, your family obligations, and your day-to-day life. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell, we help people address FTA charges quickly and effectively—before they spiral out of control.
What Does “Failure to Appear” Mean?
Under California Vehicle Code 40508, if you sign a traffic ticket promising to appear in court—and then don’t—you’ve committed a separate offense: failure to appear. It doesn’t matter whether you were originally cited for speeding, an expired registration, or a minor fix-it ticket. The court treats the missed appearance seriously.
Worse, FTA is a misdemeanor, meaning it shows up on your criminal record and can carry penalties including:
- Up to 6 months in county jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- A bench warrant for your arrest
- Suspension of your driver’s license by the DMV
How FTA Leads to License Suspension
Once you miss your court date, the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. The court also notifies the California DMV, which then places a “hold” on your license under Vehicle Code 40509.5. That hold can trigger a license suspension that remains in effect until the court clears it.
This can happen without your knowledge. Many drivers only find out about the suspension when they’re pulled over or try to renew their license.
What If You Missed Court Due to an Honest Mistake?
Life happens—people misplace tickets, forget dates, or assume the fine was automatically paid. In many cases, judges understand this and are willing to recall the warrant and resolve the FTA without imposing the harshest penalties.
That’s where an experienced defense attorney comes in. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell, we help clients:
- File a motion to recall the bench warrant
- Work with the court to reschedule a hearing
- Resolve the underlying ticket
- Restore your license with the DMV
In some cases, we can appear in court on your behalf, especially if your original violation was an infraction and not a more serious charge.
Don’t Wait—FTA Charges Only Get Worse with Time
Ignoring a failure to appear won’t make it go away. In fact, the longer you wait, the more consequences pile up:
- Warrants can lead to arrest—even during a routine traffic stop.
- Additional fees and civil assessments may be added.
- Your car insurance premiums may increase due to license issues.
- Employment risks—especially for jobs requiring a clean driving record.
By acting quickly, you may be able to avoid jail time, reduce fines, and reinstate your license without further damage to your record.
Get the Help You Need Today
If you’re dealing with a failure to appear charge or just discovered your license is suspended due to a missed court date, don’t panic—but don’t delay either.
Contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 to speak with an experienced Southern California criminal defense attorney. We’ll walk you through your options and fight to resolve your case efficiently, so you can move forward without the burden of a criminal record or suspended license.