[jims69camaro]

i'm still in the dark. careless driving: what did the cop say you did in order to get this ticket? this is not one of those tickets cops write whenever they pull someone over - it's not like a seatbelt ticket at all. there has to be some circumstance that made the situation special in order for him to write that. if you don't know, the cop was unclear, or you can't remember what the cop said, then it greatly diminishes the amount of help anyone can offer you.

sure, everyone knows that you go to traffic court, you talk to the prosecutor before proceedings start so you can find out if he's willing to move on the ticket or not. most, if not all, prosecutors will be willing to drop the charge down a notch or two but you have to plead guilty to the new charge. that is something that i think a lot of you are glossing over. once you plead guilty to a charge, you basically are giving up all of your rights in court. it means the judge can/will sentence you as s/he sees fit, regardless of anything the prosecutor may or may not say pertaining to that. you could agree with the prosecutor to drop a careless to an unsafe driving ticket, $450 in fines and $60 court fee. but once you plead guilty to that charge, you have very little recourse (you can appeal) if the judge hits you with a heavy hand because he is having a bad day. the judge almost always sentences within the guidelines, like if a fine can be between 100-250 he will usually sentence you to some dollar amount in between. he doesn't have to, though. and unless the judge is being a complete douche bag and sentences you to $1000 for a $25 ticket, then there is very little you can do about it. if he is within the guidelines, the appellate court probably won't even hear your motion to appeal.

now, getting back to the OP, you are walking into court pleading not guilty. that means that you have to notify the court (usually by calling the court clerk) of your intentions to contest the charge. that also means that they have to get the cop into court, which is not always as easy as it seems. so, you called the clerk, pleaded not guilty and it's your day in court. dress nicely, but a suit and tie are overboard. usually dark slacks with a nice button-down oxford are all that are needed. you will ask to speak to the prosecutor. in some municipalities, talking with the prosecutor is mandatory.

listen to everything he says. if there was ever a time to pay attention to someone, now is it. think about what he is offering you. will you do better with a high fine and no insurance hike, or would it be better for you to pay less now and more later? nobody can answer this for you. if you agree, then you will be called up in turn and asked if you reached an agreement with the prosecutor. it's pretty much cut and dried from there. expect, if you decide to pay the higher penalty now, to walk into court with $600-1000 and walk out with empty pockets. if you think you should pay the lower fine now and get hit with an insurance hike, then that amount will be considerably lower.

i'm having trouble with your perception that you didn't think you were even noticeable, but you got a careless driving ticket. were you driving over the painted lines, or between them? as in, if people could have parked there, would you have had to go around them, or were you proceeding in the traffic lane already? anyway, good luck. i hope i have helped a little bit.