Misdemeanor traffic violations, such as driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, etc., are more serious offenses and can result in you being issued a ticket or placed under arrest. In either case, you must appear in court for arraignment, be informed of your legal rights, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty. You have the right to be represented by an attorney at this and all other hearings. If you cannot afford one, the court may appoint one for you, depending on the likelihood of a jail term being imposed.
If you fail to appear for your scheduled hearing, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest and your driver's license may be suspended.
If you plead guilty to a misdemeanor, you will be required to pay a fine and points will be assessed to your driving record. Some violations can result in being sent to jail for up to one year. If at your arraignment, you plead not guilty, you have the right to request a trial by a judge (bench trial) or a jury. A date will be set for your pretrial hearing. You may also post bond at your arraignment if you did not do so following your arrest.