Failure to Appear at Court in Atlanta
In Atlanta, individuals that fail to appear at their court date in Atlanta Municipal Court will be facing the consequences of “failure to appear” (FTA). If you fail to appear at the appointed court date, a bench warrant may be issued for your arrest.
Last month, The City of Atlanta Municipal Court debuted a new Failure-To-Appear (FTA) Walk-In Calendar. Now, Monday through Friday, individuals who have active warrants or have missed their court date can arrive early to court and have the opportunity to be seen by a judge that same day.
The court has set up two, daily dockets for these walk-in hearings: one at 9 a.m. and one at 1:00 p.m. They recommend that those who want to be seen arrive an hour before each docket to be incorporated in to that day’s schedule.
However, our team has seen many people turned away from this new court program. Because demand for these spots is high, arriving one hour beforehand frequently isn’t enough to get on that day’s schedule. The court can only accommodate the first 45 people who arrive that day for a walk-in hearing.
That is why our firm recommends arriving to court at 7:00 a.m. for a walk-in hearing. This may still mean not getting seen until the afternoon, but it will help ensure that you are seen that day and that you can take one step closer to resolving your DUI case.
A Focus on Customer Service
According to AlantaGA.gov, the new walk-in calendar is aimed at providing better customer service to Atlanta citizens who are navigating a legal issue. “It is the goal of our court to provide excellent customer service in the effective and efficient administration of justice” the Honorable Christopher Ward, Chief Judge of The City of Atlanta Municipal Court is quoted saying.
If you are concerned about your municipal court hearings for your DUI-related matter—or have missed a date and want to approach this new program with reliable legal counsel by your side, our firm can help. Willis Law Firm has over a century of combined DUI experience. Our lawyers are well-versed in the workings of Atlanta Municipal court and are ready to help you navigate this process.
Start moving towards resolving your case today. Contact us for a free case evaluation.