If you fail to pay a traffic ticket/citation or to appear in court on the hearing date (or have your attorney appear on your behalf) the court may issue a warrant for your arrest—and may add the additional charge of failure to appear, which will include additional fines and other potential consequences.
In California, if you fail to pay a traffic ticket or citation, or if you do not appear in court on the scheduled hearing date, the court may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. Additionally, the court may charge you with 'failure to appear' under California Vehicle Code 40508(a), which can result in additional fines and penalties. This charge is separate from the original traffic offense and can lead to a misdemeanor on your record. It's important to address traffic citations promptly to avoid these consequences. If you cannot attend the hearing, an attorney may appear on your behalf in most cases, depending on the nature of the traffic violation.