If my daughter does not show up to court will I be responsible? 2 Answers as of January 20, 2012

That would depend upon all the facts and circumstances but generally you would not be responsible unless you encouraged her or helped her to not go. A warrant will probably be issued. The warrant can be vacated by going to the court in person and getting another court date. She should have an attorney.

If your daughter is a material witness and ignores a subpoena she can be taken into custody and placed in jail until the court is ready for her testimony. If you advise her not to testify you could be charged with Tampering with a Witness, a class A misdemeanor. When a person is charged with a crime a witness can either help to convict the right person or exonerate an innocent person. Sometimes women do not want to testify against a boyfriend who assaulted or abused them. They get off and assault the next women they date knowing he will be able to get them to "drop the charges" or not show up in court. If she is not a material witness the prosecutor may just pressure or threaten her to get her to show up or he may send a detective to pick her up and take her to court. She can get into trouble if she ignores a judicial subpena and you can be arrested if you advise her to do so.