Legal Question in Traffic Law in California

You have the standard options available to you:

1. Plead guilty by mail and pay the fine. It goes on your driving history.

2. Go to court, plead guilty and ask the judge to reduce the fine. It's often called "guilty with an explanation" and see if they'll reduce it for you. It may save you some money, but it'd be on your record.

3. Plead not guilty, post the mail amount and request a trial. You can do a trial by written declaration first to see if the officer fails to reply, then request a court trial, hoping they don't show and your case gets dismissed.

4. Plead not guilty and fight it in court. Will your "my brakes were bad" defense work? Not likely. You're responsible for maintaining your vehicle in proper mechanical order, including brakes adequate to slow and stop you in any condition. You can try your defense, but if you fight and lose, you're convicted and it's on your record, along with whatever fine the judge wants to impose. You may win and walk out without any points on your record and get your bail money back. The judge may applaud your approach and (hopefully) your preparation and how you present your defense.... or not.

5. Go to traffic school. If you haven't been in the past 18 months, you should be eligible. Pay the bail to the court, go to traffic school (yes, it costs too) and when you complete school, it gets dismissed from your driving history and won't impact your insurance, etc.