Last updated December 2025
A Failure to Appear (FTA) in Florida is far more serious than many people realize. Missing a court date can trigger:
A bench warrant
A new criminal charge
Bond revocation
Driver’s license suspension
Additional fines and conditions
In Broward County, FTAs are issued quickly and automatically. Many people don’t even realize a warrant exists until they’re stopped during a routine traffic stop or background check.
Here’s how FTAs work — and how to fix them before things get worse.
⚖️ Two Types of Failure to Appear in Florida
Florida law treats FTAs differently depending on why you missed court.
1️⃣ Failure to Appear on a Misdemeanor (Non-Criminal FTA)
If you miss court on a misdemeanor case without bond conditions, the court usually issues:
A bench warrant
Bond revocation (if applicable)
This type of FTA is not a new crime, but the warrant allows police to arrest you at any time.
This commonly occurs in:
traffic cases
disorderly conduct
disorderly intoxication
petit theft
2️⃣ Failure to Appear While on Bond (CRIMINAL FTA)
If you miss court after signing a bond, FTA becomes a new criminal offense under Florida law.
Penalties depend on the underlying charge:
FTA on misdemeanor → first-degree misdemeanor
FTA on felony → third-degree felony
This often appears alongside:
probation violation allegations
bond hearing issues
pretrial release violations
🚨 What Happens After an FTA Is Issued?
Once the judge issues an FTA warrant:
Police can arrest you anywhere, anytime
You may be held without bond until court
Your bond may be revoked or forfeited
The court may suspend your driver’s license
The case becomes harder to resolve
Many FTAs are discovered during routine encounters — the same situations discussed in unlawful arrest and investigative stopcases.
🪪 Driver’s License Suspension for FTA
Florida courts can suspend your license for failing to appear in:
Traffic cases
Criminal traffic cases
Certain misdemeanor matters
This creates a dangerous chain reaction:
FTA → license suspension → driving while license suspended→ new criminal charges.
Fixing the FTA quickly can often prevent this escalation.
🛡️ How We Fix Failure to Appear Cases
At Michael White, P.A., we routinely resolve FTAs by:
✔ Filing a Motion to Recall the Warrant
Often without you ever being arrested.
✔ Setting a Special FTA Hearing
Judges will frequently quash the warrant for good cause.
✔ Explaining Legitimate Reasons
Common examples:
No notice of court date
Medical emergency
Work conflicts
Clerical errors
Address issues
✔ Negotiating Bond Reinstatement
Critical in felony and high-bond cases.
✔ Preventing New Charges
Early action can stop a non-criminal FTA from becoming a criminal FTA.
FTA cases are procedural — similar in structure to arraignment, first appearance, and bond hearing issues.
🚫 Do NOT Ignore an FTA
Ignoring an FTA makes everything worse:
Police will not “forget”
Warrants do not expire
Arrests often happen at the worst time
Bond conditions become stricter
Judges lose patience quickly
The sooner it’s addressed, the easier it is to fix.
📘 Authoritative External Source
For the governing statute on criminal FTAs: 🔗 Florida Senate – Fla. Stat. § 843.15
🚨 Speak With a Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you missed court — or think you may have an active warrant — do not wait.
Contact Michael White, P.A. immediately. In many cases, we can resolve an FTA without an arrest and get your case back on track.
❓ FAQs — Failure to Appear in Florida
1. Is failure to appear a crime in Florida?
Sometimes. It becomes a crime if you miss court while on bond.
2. Will I be arrested for an FTA?
Yes. An active bench warrant allows arrest at any time.
3. Can my license be suspended for missing court?
Yes — especially in traffic-related cases.
4. Can an FTA be fixed without going to jail?
Often yes, if handled quickly by an attorney.
5. Does an FTA affect future bond decisions?
Yes. Judges consider prior FTAs when setting bond.