Don't forget that after reducing the fine, your record goes right on the DMV! Then, your insurance goes up! Do Do? Don't appeal the judge. Pay the full fine. Attend a traffic school. Then, your record won't show up on the DMV if you don't get another ticket within 18 months!
If you think traffic school is dry and bored, think again. Come to Monrovia, CA with the State permission for you to attend at the
ALL 
traffic school. I resides in Utah and got ticket in Arizona. Arizona requires 8 hours. Utah only offers 6 hours. Arizona said either I come on the way to Arizona to attend THEIR class or simply pay the fine and enjoy a spat on my record. I told them that I prefer to attend a deaf class in CA which it offers 8 hours course. Arizona accepted it. WaaYoo!! There at the CA deaf class of about 33 students, I had so much fun meeting all of the deaf friends! Lecture? Nope. Dry? Nope. Movie? Nope. Internet online class? Nope. Taking test? Nope. Boring? Nope. Plenty of deaf fun mudslings? Yep (alot)!
What was the class all about? The teacher just ask us few questions like as what's your name, where you from, why did you receive a ticket, and how did you correct the problem. Since there were 33 students in the class, the teacher ask each of them to answer the questions. But, after every student answered the question....ya know deaf culture, plenty of fun mudslings from other students attacking and making fun at that student.
After 10th student, we took a morning break at 10 AM (class started at 8 AM). After 15th student, we took lunch break. After 25th student, we took afternoon break. Finally at 33th student, class dismissed at 4 PM! But, we mostly stayed outside of the classroom to chat more until the sun goes down!
~DV