(A) Upon the filing of a complaint charging violation of an ordinance, the Judge, unless he or she determines to issue a warrant of arrest, or unless the defendant previously has been issued a citation or has been arrested and has given bond for appearance, shall issue a summons, naming the person charged, specifying his or her address or place of residence, if known, stating the offense with which he or she is charged and giving him or her notice to answer the charge in the Court on a day certain, Sundays and holidays excepted, after the summons is served upon him or her containing a provision for the official return of the summons, and including other pertinent information as may be necessary.
(B) The summons shall be served by delivering a copy to the defendant personally. If he or she fails to appear and to answer the summons within the prescribed period, a warrant shall be issued for his or her arrest, as provided by this article.
(`90 Code, § 12-21)