I had something like that happen to me regarding a traffic ticket (of which I was innocent).
The result was the suspension of my driver license without my knowing.
I nearly ended up in jail over this stupidity.
It took me several days and a lawyer to clear it up.
Something very similar happened to me - I had been unknowingly driving for two years on a suspended license. The officer and the judge were very understanding and sympathetic. I paid what needed to paid and that was that.