Asked in Criminal Law for Alabama

Q: if someone presses charges against me and I'm schedule for a bench trial concerning unauthorized use of vehiclr

but they don't show up on courtesy, who pays court costs?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Samuel G McKerall
Samuel G McKerall
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Gulf Shores, AL

A: Usually, the court will continue the case at least once in order to give the complainant one more chance to show up in court. Sometimes the judge will send the officers or deputies out to bring the complainant to court. If the complainant cannot be found the case will be dismissed, although in some rare instances the prosecutor or the court might try to compel you to pay them. You would not be liable for the court costs and the court would just have to absorb them. Under the exact facts as you have stated them the court costs would not be your legal responsibility.

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