A traffic court citation is actually two separate concepts: If you receive a speeding ticket, your ticket will have a date on it. This date is when you have to appear in court and is your actual traffic court citation. You may miss your court date. If you do, the judge will issue a warrant or traffic court citation for arrest. If you don't respond to a traffic court citation, you could end up in jail. The only way to avoid having to appear in court is to pay the fine before your court date. You can also try to have your traffic ticket dismissed. Attending traffic school is an easy way to keep the violation off your driving records. You may still have to pay the fines but you will not have the points added to your license. You could also avoid increases in your insurance rates.