What Happens If You Ignore a Traffic Ticket?
Ignoring a citation does not make it magically disappear from the system. When you miss the court date or payment deadline listed on the paper, the court files an additional charge against you known as Failure to Appear. This separate offense carries its own steep fines and complications. Issuance of an Arrest Warrant Once you miss your deadline, the local judge can issue an active warrant for your arrest. This means a routine stop for a broken taillight weeks later could result in you being handcuffed and taken to jail. Law enforcement takes unresolved citations very seriously. Long-Term Financial and License Damage Suspension of Your Driving Privileges The state will not allow you to continue driving indefinitely with unresolved violations. The Department of Public Safety will quickly suspend your license once notified of your failure to appear. Driving on a suspended license is a serious misdemeanor that can lead to vehicle impoundment. ...