What is the difference between a ticket marked must appear and a ticket marked may appear?

A must appear ticket is one which the officer has marked as a requiring a mandatory court appearance. You must appear at the date and time marked on the bottom of the ticket. If you fail to appear either a warrant may be issued for your arrest, or you may be found guilty of the offense and fined in your absence, or if you have posted a drivers license your license may be suspended until you appear. A may appear ticket is one, which may be resolved by mail or over the counter. You need not appear on the date and time of the ticket. In fact, because traffic court is so busy, people with may appear tickets may not be able to speak with the Assistant States Attorney on the date on the bottom of the ticket. If you want to pay the ticket, simply follow the instructions on the back and send it in along with payment. If you wish to seek court supervision, a deputy circuit clerk at the Courthouse can sign you up if you are for the driver improvement program if you are eligible. This is a form of court supervision. If you wish to contest your ticket you should request a trial by following the instructions on the back of your ticket. If you wish to plead guilty but wish to speak with an Assistant States Attorney, you must request a trial and appear on your trial date.

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1. Do I need to hire an attorney to represent me on my traffic charge?
2. How can I get my bond back?
3. I cannot make my upcoming court date. Can I change it?
4. I cannot pay my fine. How can I get an extension?
5. I missed my court date. What will happen now?
6. I received an operating uninsured motor vehicle ticket and I had insurance. What should I do?
7. I received notice that I owe a fine, even though I have not been to court. What can I do?
8. I was in an accident with another vehicle which was uninsured. Will I be able to get money from Traffic Court?
9. Is there any way I can keep a traffic ticket off my record?
10. My ticket says $75 and it also says I must come to court. Is my fine $75?
11. What is the difference between a bench trial and a jury trial?
12. What is the difference between a ticket marked must appear and a ticket marked may appear?
13. What should I do If I want to contest my traffic ticket?