Showing up to traffic court

[Mom of 5]

Hello all and thank you for your service.
I was in a minor accident, a "bumper bump at around 10 MPH"--no drugs, no alcohol, no injuries. I was given a ticket and a court date. There were 6 people at the scene: an Officer, the other driver, his passenger, myself, my two children (ages 6 & 8.)

Do all involved in the accident have to appear in order for the case to be heard? I am in McHenry County, IL.

Thank you for taking the time to help out on this forum.

[Citicop]

No. The only people required to be there are you and the officer who issued the summons (if there is a trial). If the prosecutor needs the other driver or passenger there, they will be subpoenaed (but that's not automatic).

What were you charged with?

-Citicop.

[DeltaV]

It all depends on the jurisdiction. I don't even have to appear in court for a ticket written on a traffic crash if I didn't witness the crash. The ones who have to show up are the ones who actually were involved in the crash. I can't testify to something that I didn't witness, even though I can write the citation based upon my investigation.

That's just here though. It may be different where you are.