What can be done regarding a delayed arraignment letter?

My son was cited for a DUI last March. The situation involved him taking over driving a pontoon boat at a very slow speed as the original skipper became dangerously intoxicated while anchored away from port. As he was quite upset by this event, he called the courthouse weekly to find out what he needed to do throughout the spring and early summer. After being told repeated that there was no record of his case, he gave up. Just now I opened a letter to him, as he is out of country for the fall, it is from the DA stating that he must report for arraignment on November 12. I feel this delayed process has been entirely inappropriate and as he will be out of country until Christmas at which time he will return to home, a trip for a court appearance is both expensive and unacceptable. He had been told by the officer that he would be able to simply pay a fine which he is willing to do as he accepts responsibility for his actions. I recognize that I could have chosen to not open his mail and instead leave it in the pile of unopened mail for his return which would have resulted in a missed arraignment. I do not understand how the courts can expect an individual to put their lives on hold while the legal process takes its merry time. Thank you for your time!