Missed Court in Rhode Island: What Happens Next

What Rhode Island law says can follow a missed court date: whether it is a separate crime, the driver’s license rule for traffic cases, what happens to bail, and the court’s own next steps. It runs in your browser and nothing is stored.

What kind of case was the court date for?
How was the person released before the date?

Pick the state, the kind of case and how the person was released to see what that state’s law says.

Rhode Island failure to appear law

In Rhode Island, 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: felony. A person released on a felony charge who does not appear on the required date or voluntarily within 30 days after, or misses a trial or sentencing date, is guilty of a felony. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-1-8)
    who does not appear personally on the required date or voluntarily within thirty (30) days thereafter, or who fails to appear for any court session during the trial or on the day for sentencing, shall be guilty of a felony
  • Summons or citation: up to $50 fine or 15 days. Willfully failing to appear on a misdemeanor summons may be punished by a fine of up to $50 or up to 15 days in jail. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-11(b))
    Willful failure to appear in answer to this summons may be punished by a fine of not over fifty dollars ($50.00) or imprisonment for not over fifteen (15) days.

When a date is missed, the court’s order is called a bench warrant (R.I. District Court: Criminal).

Driver’s license after a missed traffic date in Rhode Island

Not confirmed at an official source which statute suspends a license for a missed traffic date; a judge or magistrate may enter a default judgment against a driver who fails to appear. Ask the court clerk. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-41.1-5)

If the person charged with the violation shall fail to appear on the specified date, a judge or magistrate may enter default judgment, and after hearing any evidence presented, determine whether the charges have been established.

Bail and bonds after a missed date in Rhode Island

For bail written by a licensed bondsperson, there is no forfeiture if the fugitive is found and brought before the court within six months of the warrant. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-13-16.2)

Window to ask the court to set the forfeiture aside: Six months from the warrant (bondsperson bail).

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

How to deal with a missed date in Rhode Island

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.

What this page does not do

  • It does not check whether a warrant was issued in any case or whether anyone will be arrested.
  • Whether a separate failure-to-appear charge is filed is the prosecutor’s decision; what happens to bail is the court’s.
  • It collects nothing; your choices stay in your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is failure to appear a crime in Rhode Island?

Yes. Released on a felony charge: felony under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-1-8; Summons or citation: up to $50 fine or 15 days under R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-11(b).

Is missing court a felony in Rhode Island?

In some cases. released on a felony charge: felony under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-1-8. Otherwise: summons or citation: up to $50 fine or 15 days under R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-11(b).

Will Rhode Island suspend my license for missing a traffic court date?

Not confirmed at an official source which statute suspends a license for a missed traffic date; a judge or magistrate may enter a default judgment against a driver who fails to appear. Ask the court clerk. The rule is in R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-41.1-5.

Sources

Checked against the sources above on October 20, 2026.

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