Making some payments to a creditor or debt collector does not prevent them from suing you--they can take your money, apply it against the balance owed, and sue you for the remainder. If  you can get them to agree to a payment plan, however, that would be different--then, so long as you honor the plan, they should not be able to take legal action.If you don't show up, you will lose by default. You will not be arrested for a failure to appear for a civil matter.