Is being in the hospital a good excuse for missing a court date in Utah?

In a Utah criminal case, the judge will typically expect the defendant to appear in person at every court date.  If a defendant does not appear at a scheduled court hearing without permission from the court, a judge will issue a bench warrant for the defendant's arrest, and the defendant could be held in custody during the remainder of the time the case is pending.

If you do miss a court date, you should be prepared to provide a good explanation as to why you did not appear in court.  Being in the hospital can be a good excuse for missing court, depending on the reason you were in the hospital.  Many judges will require you to provide proof that you were in the hospital, as well as an explanation as to reason it was medically necessary for you to be hospitalized at that particular time.  Just saying "I was at the hospital" does not automatically excuse your failure to appear.

If you have missed a court appearance or believe that you may have an outstanding bench warrant, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you resolve your legal problems.  Stephen Howard is a Utah criminal defense attorney based in Salt Lake City.  He has successfully handled literally thousands of serious criminal charges - more than most Utah attorneys will see in their entire careers.  

Contact us now to schedule an initial consultation.