[jims69camaro]

you should have contacted the court prior to the court date to let them know that you plan to plead "not guilty", but that is an exception rather than the rule these days.

always show respect (not fear, no trembling and no tears) and dress nicely. a suit might be over the top if it's a small municipal court, but it couldn't hurt. i am sure the judges are tired (as are all of us) of the typical municipal court defendent with a hat on backwards and constantly pulling his pants up because they don't fit. speak when spoken to, in a polite, even tone - the proceedings are recorded in most places now, so it's important that you be heard above the normal courtroom chatter.

as far as speaking with the prosecutor, it used to be the exception to the rule - mostly the prosecutor spoke only with attorneys about cases. now it's a mob scene, so most courts have taken control of it and made it more orderly. you might have to request to speak with the prosecutor or it might be mandatory (like it was for my ghost parking ticket in perth amboy). spending two hours in line killed me.

as far as the charge, do not go in there like a philadelphia lawyer (manner of speaking only - no offense to actual lawyers who practice in philadelphia) demanding and ordering. A) you will get laughed at and B) you will lose any chance you had at a reduction. most cops know that the courts are dealing and that almost no one pays for the charge written, so the cops have stopped giving people breaks on the tickets. it sucks, but that's the way it has evolved. instead of getting a curbside break, you get a courtside break. either way, be prepared to pay, as the court can hold you in contempt (not very likely, but i have seen it happen) and lock you up if you can't pay and don't satisfy their requirments for time payments. if, after all of this, you have survived, consider yourself lucky. i have been the last one to leave the courthouse on many occasion, even saying "good night" to the judge as he walked out.