They can issue warrants at any time. You don't get any credit for running out on your obligations or being a fugitive from court appearance. It matters not if you are a citizen or not. If you're here, you expected to obey the laws and are subject to the resultant prosecution.
You can always be arrested at any time when there is a warrant out. Traffic warrants likely aren't going to be noticed outside the state that they are issued however.
The issue WILL come up if you apply for naturalization.

