After a person is arrested, a bond hearing is held. The judge will set the conditions of the bond and the first appearance court date. If a defendant fails to show at the first appearance court date, a judge may issue a bench warrant for the defendant's arrest. A follow-up appearance date may be set at the time of the first appearance. The defendant is responsible to notify the Solicitor’s Office in writing and to file with the Clerk of Court’s Office any change in a mailing address and/or contact numbers. 

If a defendant and/or the defendant’s attorney has received a come to court letter or a court order (e.g.  bond paperwork) stating to be at an appearance date, the defendant must be present for the appearance date. 

Victims should not attend an appearance court date unless requested by the assigned solicitor of the criminal case.