If I have settled with my debt before my court date do I have to appear in court? I don’t want to have a bench warrant placed on me. Please advise.

That depends. Is there going to be a judgment entered against you and then you are going to make payments on the judgment (not desireable because of negative credit entry)? Or is the case going to be continued to allow you time to payoff what is owed and then the case is going to be dismissed (preferrable because no negative credit entry)? If you get something in writing from the creditor before court saying what the agreement is, then you will not need to go to court.