Each year, courts hear more than 16 million criminal cases and about 38 million traffic cases, with people missing anywhere from 12% to 53% of court hearings, depending on the type of charge and the location. Those absences are largely unintentional, research shows—and reminding people that they have an upcoming court hearing, with simple, well-designed text message reminders, can significantly and cost-effectively reduce missed appearances, leading to better outcomes for all involved.