FORMER West Coast star Ben Cousins has been released on bail from a Perth court after being warned he could face a mandatory jail term if convicted of serious traffic offences.

An arrest warrant was issued for Cousins on Wednesday when the troubled 36-year-old failed to show up to Fremantle Magistrates Court to face traffic offences, with his lawyer citing conflicting medical appointments for his absence.

Magistrate Steven Malley ordered that the former Eagles captain must produce written evidence of his medical appointments or an arrest warrant would be issued.

Cousins' lawyer Aidan Kraus later told AAP that the document was submitted to the court but the magistrate rejected it.

Cousins finally turned himself in to police on Thursday morning.

He arrived at court handcuffed in the back of a police van and appeared healthy but subdued.

Magistrate Malley said he suspected missing the initial court appearance was not Cousins' fault.

He told Mr Kraus it was "unwise" for the lawyer to inform Cousins he did not have to be in court because he had a medical appointment at 12pm on Wednesday.

"He would have been out of here by 10.10," Magistrate Malley said.

"As an officer of the court, you've got to be frank with me and up front."