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 Montana, 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 has the authority to issue a warrant for your arrest. This situation can also lead to an additional charge of 'failure to appear,' which can result in further fines and potential consequences. The failure to appear charge is separate from the original traffic violation and can compound the legal issues and financial penalties you face. It is important to address traffic citations promptly and to communicate with the court if you are unable to attend a hearing or pay a fine, as the court may offer alternatives such as payment plans or community service. An attorney can represent you in court if you are unable to attend, but you must arrange this representation in advance of the hearing date.