Verified by Licensed Bail Bond Professionals•Last updated: March 2026
Definition: The offense of willfully failing to appear before any court as required for any criminal proceeding. FTA on a felony charge is itself a third-degree felony; FTA on a misdemeanor is a first-degree misdemeanor.
Category: Criminal Offenses · Statute: F.S. 843.15 · Source: Florida Legislature
Florida Statute 843.15"Whoever, having been released pursuant to chapter 903... willfully fails to appear before any court... as required, commits a felony of the third degree."
Consequences of FTA
- Bench warrant issued for immediate arrest
- Bond forfeiture — bail money is lost; co-signer owes full bail
- New criminal charge — FTA is a separate offense
- Higher bail — When re-arrested, new bail will be significantly higher
- Driver's license suspension — For traffic-related FTAs