The date on your citation is the date of your initial appearance.  An  initial appearance is your opportunity to enter a plea to the charge.   You may plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty.  The initial appearance  is not the trial date.  If you plead guilty or no contest, the court  will find you guilty and the matter will be resolved at the initial  appearance.  If you plead not guilty, your case will be scheduled for a  pre-trial at a later date, which you must appear for. 

If you wish to plead not guilty, you may do this by mail without  appearing in court on the date set forth on your citation.  Please refer  to the following section entitled “I Wish to Plead Not Guilty, How do I  do that and What Will Happen in court?” 

If you do not post bail money and you also fail to appear in court  on your court date, you will be found guilty and judgment will be  entered against you.  If you fail to pay the forfeiture amount within  the time set by the Court (60 days from the court date), your license  will be suspended.  Alternatively, contempt of court proceedings maybe  brought against you.