Missed Court in Vermont: What Happens Next

What Vermont 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.

Vermont failure to appear law

In Vermont, 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 any charge: up to 2 years, $5,000 fine, or both. A person released with or without bail who without just cause fails to appear may be imprisoned up to two years, fined up to $5,000, or both. (13 V.S.A. § 7559(c))
    A person who has been released pursuant to section 7554 of this title with or without bail on condition that the person appear at a specified time and place in connection with a prosecution for an offense and who without just cause fails to appear shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both.

When a date is missed, the court’s order is called a arrest warrant (13 V.S.A. § 7560a(a)(1)).

Driver’s license after a missed traffic date in Vermont

For civil traffic tickets a missed date leads to a default judgment by the Judicial Bureau, not a license suspension; the old DMV suspension for nonpayment (23 V.S.A. 2307) was repealed in 2016. (4 V.S.A. § 1105(f))

If a person fails to appear or answer a complaint, the Bureau shall enter a default judgment against the person.

Bail and bonds after a missed date in Vermont

If the surety does not produce the defendant the court grants forfeiture but may adjust the amount; a surety may ask for return of forfeited bail at any time after the order. (13 V.S.A. § 7560a)

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

How to deal with a missed date in Vermont

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 Vermont?

Yes. Released on any charge: up to 2 years, $5,000 fine, or both under 13 V.S.A. § 7559(c).

Is missing court a felony in Vermont?

Vermont’s statute grades it this way: released on any charge: up to 2 years, $5,000 fine, or both under 13 V.S.A. § 7559(c). Other statutes can apply in specific cases.

Will Vermont suspend my license for missing a traffic court date?

For civil traffic tickets a missed date leads to a default judgment by the Judicial Bureau, not a license suspension; the old DMV suspension for nonpayment (23 V.S.A. 2307) was repealed in 2016. The rule is in 4 V.S.A. § 1105(f).

Sources

Checked against the sources above on October 20, 2026.

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