Not necessarily, depending on where you are

I'm in NJ. I know in NY, you're right, if the police officer doesn't show up, the ticket is dismissed. But here in NJ, last time when my hus took a day off to be in court room, the police officer didn't show up. They simply reschedule even my hus was there already. My hus had to pay, otherwise he would have to take another day off, and still can't be sure if the police officer was going to show up or not. Really sucks!