Many individuals who are scheduled for court appearances are not United States citizens. Some do not have any legal status at all and are undocumented. In New Jersey, many court dates are scheduled for minor traffic tickets or less serious criminal cases.
Now, more than ever, it is important to contact an attorney who can help. Do not miss court because you are scared. An attorney may be able to contact the court and schedule an appearance by zoom or virtually. Sometimes, a case can be handled by a legal form called an affidavit, which allows a person to resolve a case with paperwork, and no actual in-person appearance.
If you do not show up for court, in certain cases, a judge will issue a warrant for your arrest. This is dangerous and could result in a trip to the county jail or the payment of bail.
The fact that someone is undocumented may have nothing at all to do with the facts of the case, but may be the reason the someone does not come to court. Everyone, whether, they are a citizen, lawful resident or undocumented worker has a right to have their case heard fairly and impartially. It is important to discuss the case, your personal situation, and your concerns about going to court with an attorney to figure out what is best for you.
A warrant for your arrest is never a good solution, and that is what may happen by not showing up. In New Jersey, the local municipal courts and the Superior Court send notices to anyone who has their case scheduled for a specific date. The notice may be sent by email, text or regular mail. If you were sent a notice, the Court knows that information. If you do not show up, there may be consequences worse than the case itself and so it is never a good idea to just stay away and not deal with the situation.