That appearance is known as the arraignment.
U.S. v. Robinson
Miranda v. Arizona
If you fail to show for a court appearance as summoned, a warrant for your arrest will be issued and you will be subject to arrest and incarceration.warrant and arrest and license revocation and judgement and no registration renewal......
United States v. Robinson, 414 U.S. 218 (1973)
Generally a warrant requires an appearance before a judge. If you contact the court to arrange an appearance, you may avoid arrest. Whether or not the court accepts payments is entirely up to the court.
A Notice of Appearance is a legal document filed by an attorney to inform the court that they are representing a party in a case. It serves to formally establish the attorney-client relationship with the court.
Fleeing an open warrant "flight to avoid prosecution" is similar to arrest resistance but "resisting arrest" occurs as you use force to avoid being placed under custody.Added: You NEVER have a lawful/legal "right" to "resist" police in the performance of their duty. You must submit, and if it subsequently turns out they had no lawful right to arrest you then you can bring court action against them for damages.
It means that the defendant has absconded (fled - escaped - become a fugitive) and the money or property that was posted with the court that was supposed to ensure the defendants appearance, has been seized and is now forfeited to the court.
Remember - (in the US) defendants are considered innocent until PROVEN guilty - and in that regard they are allowed to use the court's subpoena powers to compel the appearance of any and all witnesses that may be of assistance in presenting their side of the case.
Define "closed." Is the original police criminal investigation "closed" or is the actual court case itself closed? As long as there are outstanding and un-addressed matters or un-prosecuted defendants, a court case is never closed until all known defendants in the case have been prosecuted. .
a warrant would be placed for their arrest... and I believe they are fined...
If there is a warrant issued for your arrest regarding the missed appearance, yes.