What does adjudicated mean on a traffic ticket mean?

Answer 1

When you receive a ticket, it is a summons to appear in court. You have three options any time you get a ticket: you can accept guilt and pay the fine, you can contest it and appear before a magistrate, or you can ignore it.

If you accept guilt and pay the fine, the ticket is adjudicated. It has been resolved by the court.

If you contest it and see the magistrate, he will either find in your favor (and the ticket is adjudicated because you are acquitted), or he finds you guilty and you pay the fine. At that time you may appeal and take the case to a higher court, but if you do it will not be adjudicated until the case is heard and ruled upon.

If you ignore it, eventually the court may issue a bench warrant on you. When you are eventually collected by LEOs, and you face the judge, you will be found in contempt of court, your traffic fine will come due, and you will be sentenced. Once that sentence is read, the case is adjudicated.