I have a legal type question about arraignments

[jessica31876]

The guy who caused the car accident in July has been charged with the ACCIDENT in CIVIL TRAFFIC COURT! There is a fine listed of 164 dollars. It says lower down that there is a mandatory appearance and arraignment scheduled for December 22nd. Does that mean the criminal charges will be done then? Does it mean he is not being charged? I do not understand why they would issue a ticket first and not file the charges officially if he is going to be charged. It has me worried because the case is listed under a civil traffic infraction and all he was charged with was failure to follow traffic signals (running a red light). I know him going to jail will not make it right but it is really upsetting to think he will only pay a fine of 164 dollars for what he did. Getting ahold of the detective that was on the case is next to impossible. I waited a week for him to call me the last time I tried to call him. Also are arraignments open to the public? Who would I need to call to find that out? I am so upset tonight because I just found this out randomly checking the public records website. We were not even notified of any of it.