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 Washington State, 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 warrant for your arrest. This is also the case if you do not have an attorney appear on your behalf. Additionally, the court may charge you with 'failure to appear,' which can result in extra fines and other potential consequences such as the suspension of your driver's license. The specific penalties and process can vary by jurisdiction within the state, but the failure to address traffic citations can lead to significant legal issues, including increased financial penalties and potential impacts on your driving privileges.