CourtRemind › Court date reminder schedule
Guide
When to send court date reminders.
How many reminders to send, how far ahead, and what courts and researchers actually use.
The short answer
Send more than one reminder. A schedule of 7, 3, and 1 day before the court date covers the two things that cause missed appearances: the week-ahead reminder gives time to arrange a ride, child care, and time off work, and the day-before reminder catches anyone who forgot. It is also the schedule used in the 2025 Santa Clara County trial that found 20% fewer bench warrants with reminders.
What courts and studies use
| Program | When reminders go out | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara County Public Defender study (CA) | 7, 3, and 1 day before | Science Advances, 2025 |
| Cook County, Illinois court reminders | About 14, 7, and 2 days before | Cook County |
| Lane County Circuit Court, Oregon | 7 days and 1 day before | Oregon Judicial Dept. |
| San Benito County Superior Court, California | 2 weeks and/or 2 days before | San Benito Superior Court |
| Manitowoc County, Wisconsin | 2 days before, at 6:00 PM | Manitowoc County |
| Alaska Court System | The day before, at 4:00 PM | Alaska Beacon |
| Traffic and misdemeanor court study (J-PAL) | 2 weeks, 1 week, and 1 day before | J-PAL |
Schedules as published by each program or study at the time of writing.
How to choose your schedule
- Start a week out. Earlier reminders give clients time to solve practical problems. For trials or out-of-town courts, add one about two weeks ahead.
- Always send one the day before. This is the reminder clients act on.
- Add a middle reminder for clients who have missed court before or whose hearings were recently continued.
- Send at a reasonable hour, such as late morning, so it isn't missed or unwelcome.
- Ask for a reply. "Reply C to confirm" turns the schedule into a list of who is coming.
- Remind family and cosigners on the same schedule, in their own language.
The behavioral research group ideas42 also recommends multiple reminders before a court date. For wording, see our reminder text examples.
Questions
What is the best time to send a court date reminder?
Send several. Programs and studies commonly use about a week before and a day or two before. The Santa Clara County trial used 7, 3, and 1 day before.
Should reminders go out the morning of court?
A same-day reminder can help with early hearings, but it leaves no time to arrange a ride or time off. Pair it with earlier reminders rather than using it alone.
What time of day should reminders be sent?
During normal waking hours, when people check their phones. Many programs send in the late morning or early evening. Avoid late-night messages.
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