I got one in Maryland recently. I pleaded gulity. Basically you have option of paying the fine, but if you do that then u will also have to take the points whihc will increase your incsurance when it renews.

I would suggest, if you dont pay within 3 weeks the court will assign you a court date. go to court and just listen to what the judge has to say. your case will be heard for few seconds and you go off the hook. You will be lucky if the cop who gave you ticket doe snot show up in court. what it means fo ryou is, whne judge asks for " do u plead guilty or not' you can say not guilty.  If the cop who gave you ticket is not around then there is no case. but if he is around during your receding, its wise to plead guilty and pay fine. Normally when u go to court they reduce the fine. the mommen tyou step into court  what ticket says does not ammter, what judge says in that dya maatres the most. So once in court judge are normally pretty lenient.  you will get away with minimal fine and no points. But if you dont contest in court and pay the fine, you will lossse money as well as points will be assessed.

My suggestion go to court. plead guilty if you see the cop who gave you ticket, if the cop is not there then when judge asks you what do yu plead say not guilty. thats it  case closed. you will belucky if the cop doe snot show up. but if you go to court you have to pay court charges which is normally under $30 plus the fine.

i paid $300 in fine $27 for court charges and $70 for the course i was ordered by judge to take, but no point was assessed coz i went to court and accept to take the course. 

hope it helps 

Keep it to the right speed. it was an expensinve ticket for me, it took my budget away for Wii.