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

If you fail to show up to court for a traffic ticket in Washington, the state will impose a civil penalty in the form of a Failure to Appear (FTA). An FTA is a failure to comply with a court order, and is grounds for a court to enter a judgment against you. This penalty can result in an arrest warrant being issued for you, suspension of your driver’s license, and an additional fine imposed by the court. If an arrest warrant is issued, the court will likely require you to pay the entire amount of the ticket plus court costs before the warrant can be lifted. If you don’t pay the fine or appear in court, you may be found guilty and the court may impose additional fines, court costs, and other penalties such as community service or incarceration. If your driver’s license is suspended due to failure to appear in court, the court may grant reinstatement when the judgment is paid. However, the court must order the suspension to be lifted before your license can be reinstated. Ultimately, it is always advisable to show up to court if you are issued a traffic ticket. Failing to appear in court can result in serious consequences, and it’s best to address the citation and follow the court’s instructions.

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

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