I'm sorry for your loss, but despite what you were led to believe applies to real life based on a decade of being coddled by the public school system, just having an alledged "good reason" won't get you out of your legal obligations. As far as the court is concerned, there is NO REASON superior to being ordered to appear before them. If you couldn't make it because of personal situations it was incumbant on you to appear, have someone else appear for you (i.e., a lawyer), or you get a continuance.

