Final answer:
Ignoring a traffic summons can result in serious repercussions, including arrest, increased fines, driving privilege suspension, and potential jail time. It emphasizes the importance of fulfilling civic duties and the role of citizens in the justice system.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you fail to respond to a traffic summons, the consequences can vary depending on your jurisdiction. However, generally, ignoring a traffic summons can lead to more severe penalties. This includes a possible warrant for your arrest, fines increasing, suspension of your driving privileges, and even the potential for a jail sentence. When summoned for jury duty, participation in the legal process is also mandatory; failure to appear can result in similar penalties, demonstrating the importance of responding to all legal summonses.
Fulfilling civic duties, whether it's paying fines for a traffic violation or serving jury duty, reflects the significance of citizen participation in the justice system. The Heussenstamm experiment of 1971, where participants amassed thirty-three traffic citations, illustrates the dangers and consequences of consistently violating traffic laws, further underscoring why ignoring summons is not an option.