A report from Madison, Wisconsin — “Court date reminder text messages may be reducing failure to appear rates — describes a new implementation of court reminders in criminal court in Dane County, as well as in Sauk and Ozaukee Counties.

It’s an opt-in program for people with upcoming criminal court dates, to get reminders so that they appear for upcoming court dates. As they are leaving an initial court appearance, they can opt-in to text messages that will be sent by the court.

The court hopes that the text message reminders will reduce failures to appear, as well as the bench warrants that are issued after an FTA.