What happens if I don’t show up to court for a traffic ticket?

If you don’t show up to court for a traffic ticket in California, there may be serious consequences. When a person fails to appear in court as scheduled, the court may impose a fine, issue a warrant for the person’s arrest, or suspend the person’s driver’s license. If the court issues a warrant for your arrest, the police may come looking for you. Even if the police do not come to your home, the warrant will remain in place until the court dismisses it. This means that if you are pulled over for a traffic violation or have any other kind of contact with law enforcement, you could be arrested and taken into custody. If the court chooses to suspend your driver’s license, you will be unable to legally operate a motor vehicle in California. Your suspension may remain in place until the court is satisfied that you have corrected the violation. In general, it is best to avoid receiving a traffic ticket or other citations in the first place. If you are issued a ticket, it is important to show up for your court appearance to avoid any potential penalties. Ignoring the ticket can result in serious consequences and make your life more complicated.

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