Art. 851 Failure to appear as summoned

If someone gets properly served with a summons but doesn't show up to court, the judge can have that person picked up and brought to court right away. This means law enforcement can take the person into custody and deliver them directly to the courtroom.

This rule exists to make sure court proceedings can move forward when people are legally required to attend but choose not to. Getting served means the person was formally notified about the court date, so ignoring it can lead to real consequences, including being taken into custody. If you've been served with a summons, it's important to show up or contact the court about your situation, rather than simply not appearing.