The law requires you to appear in court on your case. If you were issued a citation, your appearance date is noted on the citation. If you have been released on bond, your appearance date is set on the bond. You or your attorney may appear in person in open court, by mail, or you may deliver your plea in person to the court. (Juveniles and minors have a separate set of rules for their appearance. Please read the specific section on juveniles in this Web site). Failure to appear will result in the filing of additional criminal charges, the issuance of an arrest warrant and the imposition of additional fines and costs.

At the time of the first court appearance, the defendant will be advised of their rights, advised of the charges pending against them, and the law requires you to enter a plea on the case, guilty, not guilty, no contest. That plea will determine if there will be further proceedings on the case.