Failure to Appear
Willfully failing to appear as required after release in connection with a criminal charge or proceeding.
Florida Statute
§ 843.15
Failure of defendant on bail to appear
Verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: September 14, 2026
Quick Summary
Confirm qualifying release, actual notice or knowledge of the required appearance, willfulness, and whether the underlying matter was a felony or misdemeanor.
Classification Matrix
Use this as a quick classification reference. Specific facts, statutory circumstances, and charging allegations may affect the applicable result.
Underlying Misdemeanor
F.S. § 843.15(1)(b)
Willful failure to appear when released in connection with a misdemeanor charge or proceeding.
Underlying Felony
F.S. § 843.15(1)(a)
Willful failure to appear when released in connection with a felony charge or proceeding.
Elements of the Offense
Elements of the Offense
Elements marked AND are cumulative. Elements marked OR identify statutory alternatives; one applicable alternative must be established when that theory is charged. Conditional elements apply only to the identified statutory track.
- Element 1AND — Required
All required
The defendant was released pursuant to Chapter 903 in connection with a criminal charge or proceeding, was required to appear, and willfully failed to appear.
Plain language: Confirm qualifying release, the required appearance, and willfulness.
- Element 2Conditional
Classification fact
The underlying charge or proceeding was a felony or misdemeanor as alleged for the selected classification.
Plain language: Classification follows the underlying matter.
Jury Instructions
Jury Instructions
Instruction 29.18
Failure to Appear
Florida Standard Jury Instruction for F.S. § 843.15.
View Official InstructionVerified against the official instruction source: September 14, 2026
Additional Notes
Additional Notes
Not Every Missed Court Date
The statute requires qualifying Chapter 903 release and a willful failure to appear. Confirm notice, the release instrument, the required appearance, and the level of the underlying matter.