Missouri Laws 544.665 – Failure to appear, penalty
1. In addition to the forfeiture of any security which was given or pledged for a person‘s release, any person who, having been released upon a recognizance or bond pursuant to any other provisions of law while pending preliminary hearing, trial, sentencing, appeal, probation or parole revocation, or any other stage of a criminal matter against him or her, knowingly fails to appear before any court or judicial officer as required shall be guilty of the crime of failure to appear.
2. Failure to appear is:
Attorney's Note
Under the Missouri Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class E felony | up to 4 years | up to $10,000 |
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 1 year | up to $2,000 |
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 544.665
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Preliminary hearing: A hearing where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to make the defendant have a trial.
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(1) A class E felony if the criminal matter for which the person was released included a felony;
(2) A class A misdemeanor if the criminal matter for which the person was released includes a misdemeanor or misdemeanors but no felony or felonies;
(3) An infraction if the criminal matter for which the person was released includes only an infraction or infractions;
(4) An infraction if the criminal matter for which the person was released includes only the violation of a municipal ordinance, provided that the sentence imposed shall not exceed the maximum fine which could be imposed for the municipal ordinance for which the accused was arrested.
3. Nothing in sections 544.040 to 544.665 shall prevent the exercise by any court of its power to punish for contempt.