Missed Court in Nevada: What Happens Next

Nevada failure to appear law

In Nevada, missing a required court date after release can be charged as its own crime. The statute grades it by the kind of case:

• Released on a felony charge: category D felony. Failing to appear after release on bail or own recognizance on a felony charge is a separate offense, unless the person surrenders within 30 days of the missed date. (NRS 199.335)

  the person is guilty of failing to appear and shall be punished pursuant to the provisions of this section, unless the person surrenders himself or herself not later than 30 days after the date on which the person was required to appear.

• Released on a misdemeanor charge: misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor (category D felony if the person left Nevada to avoid prosecution). On a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor charge the offense follows the grade of the charge, with the same 30-day surrender defense. (NRS 199.335)

  the person is guilty of failing to appear and shall be punished pursuant to the provisions of this section, unless the person surrenders himself or herself not later than 30 days after the date on which the person was required to appear.

When a date is missed, the court’s order is called a arrest warrant (NRS 178.508(1)).

Driver’s license after a missed traffic date in Nevada

Breaking a traffic promise to appear is a civil infraction, not a crime, though a warrant may issue. The court reports it to the DMV, which mails a notice and suspends the license 31 days later unless the driver appears, arranges payment with the court or requests a hearing. (NRS 483.465)

4. The Department shall suspend the license of a driver 31 days after it mails the notice provided for in subsection 2 to the driver, unless within that time it has received a written request for a hearing from the driver or notice from the court on a form approved by the Department that the driver has appeared or the citation or complaint has been dismissed.

Bail and bonds after a missed date in Nevada

The bail undertaking or deposit is forfeited 180 days after notice of the missed appearance is mailed to the surety. (NRS 178.508(2))

Window to ask the court to set the forfeiture aside: 180 days after the surety notice is mailed.

To compare what posting bail costs in Nevada, see the Nevada bail bond calculator.

How to deal with a missed date in Nevada

Only the court that set the date can recall a warrant or give a new date. Contact that court’s clerk, or the lawyer or public defender on the case, who can ask the court to recall or quash the warrant.

• An example county court guide: Las Vegas Justice Court (Clark County): criminal FAQ
• How to check for a warrant in Nevada