Notice to Appear in Tampa

What Is a Notice to Appear?

A Notice to Appear simplifies the court attendance process for those charged with lesser crimes. In essence, a Notice to Appear allows an officer to avoid arresting and jailing the defendant before their court hearing. This is especially helpful for criminal activities such as shoplifting or trespassing. Even though Notices to Appear are more convenient for everyone involved, they're only given for certain offenses.

In Florida, Notices to Appear are issued in limited circumstances, such as:

• You are charged with a misdemeanor or minor violation.
• You have not failed to respond to the previous notice.
• You are deemed likely to appear on the court date.
• There is no risk in summoning you to appear.

Though they are simpler, Notices to Appear carry the same legal weight as an arrest. If you fail to attend court as required, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. Because of this, it is crucial that you do not neglect it.

If you’ve received a Notice to Appear, contact The Law Offices of Jeff Paulk to speak to a criminal defense lawyer about your legal options.

Have You Received a Notice to Appear?

A Notice to Appear indicates you are facing criminal charges. You need to secure a legal representative by the time you enter the court to retain the best possible chance of reducing or eliminating your charges. 

At The Law Offices of Jeff Paulk, we are familiar with all aspects of criminal law. Our history as dedicated advocates for the accused encompasses thousands of successful results against a wide range of charges. Attorney Jeff Paulk is ready to put 20+ years of experience and a background in prosecution to work for you.

When a Notice to Appear Is Not Allowed

Contrary to popular belief, not all arrests are accompanied by a trip to the police station. In some circumstances, a person will be arrested for a violation, a first or second-degree misdemeanor offense, or because they violated a municipal or county ordinance, which can be tried in the county.

If the arrestee does not demand to be taken before a judge, the arresting officer can issue a Notice to Appear, unless one of the following circumstances applies:

• The accused refuses to identify themselves.
• The accused cannot identify themselves for some reason.
• The accused says that they will NOT sign the Notice to Appear.
• The arresting officer is concerned that they will hurt themselves or someone else.
• The accused does not have the ties to the jurisdiction to ensure that they will appear in court.
• There is sufficient reason to believe that the accused will ignore the Notice to Appear.
• In the past, the accused has ignored a Notice to Appear.
• The accused has violated any of the conditions of a pretrial release program.

If you have questions about a Notice to Appear or any other criminal matter, you can count on our team to offer honest insight. Our Tampa Notice to Appear attorney can provide the answers and guidance you need to move forward.

Learn more about Notices to Appear and how a criminal defense attorney can help. Call (813) 321-7323 for your free consultation.