What Will Happen if I Don't Turn Up at Court?

Originally written by Dave Howell, updated by the editorial team on 19th June 2026

Mr ryan ward asks

What would happen to me if I did not attend court as a witness? I have no evidence in the case and do not wish to go, it is only a minor case so could I get arrested or would I just get a fine?

Being Called as a Witness

If you have been asked to attend court as a witness, the decision about whether your evidence matters is not yours to make. The solicitor handling the case believes that your evidence may be relevant, even if you feel you have little to say.

Being called to give evidence can feel daunting. If you are unsure what to expect, the Witness Service run by Victim Support can offer practical help with preparing for your court appearance. You can also find general information on the Citizens Advice website. Before attending, it may help to review any statements you previously made to the police and confirm your travel arrangements.

Court Preparation Checklist

Going to court for the first time can be overwhelming. Tell us your situation and get a personalised checklist covering what to bring, what to wear, what to expect, and how to prepare.

Try our Court Preparation Checklist free, here on this site →

What Happens if You Do Not Attend

It is important to respond to a request to attend court to avoid legal complications. While immediate arrest may not follow the first instance of non-attendance, a witness summons can be issued quickly.

If you do not attend and have not told the police or the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in advance, the court may issue a witness summons. This is a formal legal document that compels you to attend court on a specific date and time. Once a witness summons has been issued, you are legally required to be there. Failing to comply is a criminal offence, not merely a guideline.

If you still fail to attend after receiving a witness summons, the court can decide to issue a warrant for your arrest. This means police can detain you and bring you to court. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be held in contempt of court or face a fine.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Medical Reasons and Other Difficulties

If you are unwell, you will typically need to provide a medical certificate from a doctor confirming that you are not fit to appear. Simply telling the court you feel ill will not usually be accepted without supporting evidence.

Other reasons for not attending may be considered, but you should always contact the court, the police, or the solicitor who called you as a witness as early as possible. Ignoring the situation is likely to make things worse.

Keeping the Court Informed

Courts and prosecution services understand that unexpected problems arise. If you let them know in advance that you cannot attend, they can often arrange an alternative date or make other arrangements.

Staying in contact and explaining your situation can significantly reduce the risk of enforcement action. The letter or document summoning you to court should include contact details. You can also find general guidance on attending court as a witness on GOV.UK.

If you are a vulnerable witness or have special needs, additional support may be available, including screens in court or giving evidence by video link. Ask the Witness Service or the solicitor handling your case about what measures might apply to you.

Let the court or prosecution know as soon as possible if you cannot attend
Provide medical evidence if illness is the reason
Take a witness summons seriously: ignoring it is a criminal offence
Seek support from the Witness Service if you feel anxious about giving evidence

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Court Preparation Checklist lets you going to court for the first time can be overwhelming. Tell us your situation and get a personalised checklist covering what to bring, what to wear, what to expect, and how to prepare. Try it now →

Would you like a solicitor to contact you? Get help →

Tell us a little about your situation and we will try to match you with someone who can help. It is free to ask and you are under no obligation.

Your name
Email address
Phone number (optional)
Your town or county (optional)
What is it about?
Briefly, what is happening?
I agree that my details may be passed to a solicitor who works with this website, so they can contact me about my situation. My details will not be passed to anyone else or used for marketing. See our privacy notice.

If anyone is in danger, call 999 now. This form is not for emergencies.

Showing 20 of 274 questions

Ask Courtroom Advice a Question

CourtroomAdvice Editor 20/05/2026 at 9:18 am

@Tonks Withdrawing your statement doesn't cancel the witness summons, I'm afraid. If the CPS has summonsed you and you don't turn up, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest, and you could be fined or even held in contempt. Get yourself to a solicitor before the date as they can sometimes apply to set the summons aside, or advise you on special measures so you don't have to face your partner in the room.

Tonks 10/02/2024 at 7:01 am

My partner is in court in Birmingham Crown in June CPS have ordered me to court on this date I've with drawn my statement I still won't to be with my partner and have told them I nit going yo attend court what will appent to me if I don't go

RMD777 18/09/2023 at 3:10 pm

Hello, Please can you help me. I am a victim of crime, the perpetrator was arrested for theft and fraudulent activities. Passed to the CPS they proceeded on the aspect of fraud which I was assured would not affect my position in consideration of me being substantially out of pocket for my losses and put into debt liability for recovery and storage fees. The CPS failed to prosecute claiming the case collapsed due to the witness for the other side failing to attend. However the provable facts behind why this occurred was down to several fatal errors made in the CPS procedure which have since been explained using false accounts of what actually went on as my records can prove. These have since been passed to the CPS Attorney who recently provided me with their version of events for the first time which confirmed with me those discrepancies and errors made (also pointed out by the Victim Care liaison officer). The Attorney suggested no way for me to further this matter other than contacting CAB. Hence I am left completely helpless and out of pocket whilst the perpetrator 'walks free' who unbelievably but claimed to be true carries my same name which may or may not added to the failings made by the CPS for what I was reliably informed by them was an open and shut case only strengthened if witnesses failed to attend.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and a full account can be made available anytime.

Yours faithfully,

Russell Davies.

Ramona1981 12/07/2022 at 9:46 pm

Prietenul meu nu sa prezentat la tribunal in Scotia ca martor de 3 ori astazi 12 iulie sa prezentat si mai are pe 27 iuliece se poate intampla cu el poate fii arestat multumesc

Mrman 02/10/2021 at 2:15 am

Jennie,

If you have any genuine concern for your ex or still have any feelings for him do him the best thing that you can do for him and walk away

Delete his details and change your number and never have any contact ever again

ANY police involvement now will see him being sent to prison as now there is previous with you both that the courts now

MrMan 02/10/2021 at 2:06 am

To all who have wrote before me,

Advice is simple …. Seek legal advice !

Don’t seek advice about your life and future from strangers online. Get it from the pros the courts will tell you any old rubbish and it could lead to a bigger issue.

Read up on the laws in this country that’s relevant to your situation;

It’s all online and easy to follow but first and foremost get in touch with a solicitor and have a free chat and get proper invaluable and lawful advise

I hope this helps

Saj 26/08/2021 at 1:02 pm

My friends husband was unable to attend a court hearing this week on the 24th August 2021. The herring was not in person but over the phone at Nottingham County Court. The reason for his non- show was due to an administration error on the part of the court. The letter instructions said the appointment will be at 12.30pm but he received the call at 10am, 2hours sooner than stipulated in the letter. He was unable to take the due to a prior engagement. His wife has emailed the initial letter instructing the herring to explain their reason for a no-show but is concerned whether this will further penalise her husband’s case.

Kaz 30/03/2021 at 3:10 pm

My ex partner failed to attend the trail last week does anyone know what will happen will he be caught or just left until he does something else involving the police .

Dor 26/03/2021 at 5:42 pm

I missed a court hearing 10 years ago,I live in Ireland will I be allowed back to England without arrest?

Ged 09/02/2021 at 4:38 am

Hello there, i need an advice:
Ive missed a court date a year ago cause of corona but didnt report it to no one :( (was on bail) for a DD charge (played not guilty as I actually wasnt driving).
What are my options/consequences?Thanks

Joshua 22/01/2021 at 3:30 pm

Question, can you be arrested at home and detained in a cell overnight and produced for a scheduled court appearance on the basis of telling the police on the phone that you intend not to show up for court, the day before the court date?

Dr Grelode 06/01/2021 at 12:36 pm

You should always attend if you can, the police usually will go to your house or place of work. Generally 3-6 month custodial (jail).

Taz Manila 24/09/2020 at 4:56 pm

If you go to court and take the stand in a family court can you refuse to answer the other sides Questions

Mr j 23/09/2020 at 12:46 pm

My ex tried to serve a non molestation order on me it was dropped due to her not turning up as required . I have lies and prof she was lieing what can I do stop this from happening again

haggis 05/09/2020 at 9:29 pm

Got a citation today but the event was over a year ago and didn't witness anything as my statement said so why am I getting called up to court?

kakashi 25/08/2020 at 5:15 pm

wondering if anyone could help. My solicitor has forgot to attend the court date, what happens to me as the defendant?? Can someone please advise. Many thanks

bobbi 08/08/2020 at 2:41 pm

my partner is out on bail for domestic abuse girlfriend with his mouth i never got him charged it was.the police that charged him there no aitness so if i dont go what would happen to her and would her boyfriend get the jail or comment service

Hod 19/07/2020 at 10:45 am

I got pulled over by the police speeding and driving without a licence and insurance what will happen next?

Marla76 10/07/2020 at 10:17 am

My girlfriend was assaulted in the street by an ex employee of mine. As my girlfriend was going to the shop she saw the girl sitting in a car outside. As it was the first time she had seen her since the ex employee stopped working which was a bit messy in the fact that we both classed each other as friends, my girlfriend felt a bit awkward and nervously smiled as she passed the car. After getting what she wanted from shop she left and started walking up the street. The ex employee then drove along side then got out leaving the car in the middle of a busy road blocking traffic and proceeded to attack my girlfriend from behind dragging her to the floor and kicking and punching at the same time. A member of the public had to intervene to stop the girl and gave my girlfriend a lift 200m up the road to home.
At court she pleaded not guilty even though there is a statement from the passer by. My girlfriend is anxious about going to court and it is making her Ill. If my girlfriend does not attend will she get off at court?

You 28/03/2020 at 5:15 pm

If i was involved in an assault as a victim amd i am summons to court what happens if i dont attend

Show All 274 Questions

Ask Courtroom Advice a question

Ask our editorial team a question and we will reply with our advice. Tell us as much about your situation as you can: the more detail you give, the more useful our answer can be.

You do not need to use your real name. Please do not include your full address, phone number, email address, or the names of other people. We may edit or remove identifying details for privacy and legal reasons.

Comments are moderated before publication.