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 Virginia, 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. This is also the case if an attorney does not appear on your behalf if you have arranged for legal representation. Additionally, the court may charge you with 'failure to appear,' which is a separate offense that can result in additional fines and penalties. Depending on the circumstances, 'failure to appear' can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony, with more severe consequences for felony charges. It is important to address traffic citations promptly and to communicate with the court if you are unable to attend a scheduled hearing to avoid these potential consequences.