Yes- You Do Have to Sign that Traffic Citation

If you receive a traffic citation, you must sign the citation or face possible arrest for failure to sign the citation. Once the officer writes the citation, he or she will present it to you for signature. By signing, you are not admitting guilt, but rather acknowledging that you are aware of the citation and will appear on the date and time listed. If you refuse to sign the citation, you can be arrested. Please see Nevada Revised Statute 484.793:

NRS 484.793 When person must be taken immediately before magistrate.

Whenever any person is halted by a peace officer for any violation of this chapter not amounting to a gross misdemeanor or felony, he shall be taken without unnecessary delay before the proper magistrate, as specified in NRS 484.803, in either of the following cases:

1. When the person demands an immediate appearance before a magistrate; or

2. In any other event when the person is issued a traffic citation by an authorized person and refuses to give his written promise to appear in court as provided in NRS 484.799.

(Added to NRS by 1967, 1211)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 484.722)

On another note, under NRS 484.793 (1), you could demand to "see the magistrate" yourself, but that would involve a preliminary a stop at the local jail or detention center first for processing before you see a magistrate (or Judge.) You may end up delayed at the jail or detention center waiting for the next available time to see the magistrate. Not a fun proposition.

In addition to the violations listed on the traffic citation, you may also be charged with "Obstruction of a Police Officer" or other similar offense for your failure to sign the citation.