A growing issue with defendants failing to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court has prompted Judge Andrew Bailey to take a harder stance. During Monday's criminal division docket call, Judge Bailey voiced frustration over the increasing number of defendants who failed to appear as scheduled, calling the problem "ridiculous" and in need of an immediate solution.
“We’ve got to fix this problem,” Bailey said from the bench. He announced a newly reinforced policy: those who miss court without a valid excuse will face jail time.
The judge’s announcement came after several defendants failed to respond when their names were called, requiring bail bond companies to contact and convince them to come to court. Despite their eventual arrivals, Bailey did not accept excuses related to work conflicts, transportation issues, or confusion over court dates, saying the responsibility to attend court superseded those claims.
One woman apologized for not appearing earlier. While Judge Bailey acknowledged her apology, he used it as an opportunity to emphasize the gravity of failing to appear. He instructed her to spread the word about the policy change, warning that future no-shows would likely result in immediate consequences, including time in jail.
Judge Bailey highlighted the logistical burdens no-shows place on the court system and law enforcement. Typically, failure-to-appear warrants are issued, and in some cases withdrawn later the same day if a defendant appears late. If not recalled, the warrants require service by other agencies, further straining resources.
“This is a big problem, and we are not doing this again,” Bailey said. Several individuals who were taken into custody for non-appearance on Monday were released after spending several hours in jail.
Judge Bailey’s stricter approach signals a renewed effort to ensure accountability in court proceedings and emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility among defendants.