How to Plead - NY VTL 1172 Stop Sign Violation

[njdriver94]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: New York

I am a New Jersey driver who received a ticket for a stop sign violation in New York (VTL 1172 0A). I personally believe that I made a complete stop at the stop sign, but he disagreed and issued me a ticket anyway. I have pleaded not guilty. This is my first traffic ticket ever.

A police officer in my hometown advised me to try to plead the ticket down to a 1110a violation - Failure to Obey a Traffic Control device (which carries 2 points, instead of 3 points for the stop sign violation).

My insurance agent advised me to try to plead the ticket down to Unsafe Operation of Vehicle, which carries 0 points, so my insurance won't go up. I have heard of this plea in New Jersey, but I don't know if it exists in New York.

My questions are:
Can/should I try to plead down to Unsafe Operation of Vehicle if the ticket was in New York?
Or should I try to plead to the 1110a violation instead?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[Mr. Knowitall]

I don't see an equivalent New York charge to New Jersey's "unsafe operation" charge. Ask your insurance agent if he knows about a NY charge that will be treated as a zero point offense when abstracted to NJ.

[njdriver09]

A very similar experience, NJ driver at upstate NY village stop sign. I am CERTAIN I came to a full stop before proceeding I know everyone says this but I am totally innocent -but that's another story. Driving for about 35 years not one ticket ever.
Protesting, the village court clerk referred me to the county district attorney who wasn't sympathetic but offered a plea bargain to a 'reduced violation' NY VTL 1175 Obstructed traffic at intersection, 2 points instead of 3 (although should I care being a NJ driver)...
I asked the clerk what the fine was for this lesser charge: $230. (No wonder she asked if I was sitting down!) $230! Ahh she says that includes $80 for NYS surcharge so the fine's really 'only' $150.
Hmm...
I searched for other district fines: The most expensive one on the Nassau County website, the original more serious stop-sign violation at $180 total INCLUDING the NYS fee.
Then one of those incredible coincidences: My friend (another NJ driver) cops a ticket downtown Manhattan for guess what 'Obstructing traffic at intersection' and the fine a mere $115 total, including NYS fee...
I see, same violation: Sleepy upstate village $230 versus NewYorkNewYork $115.
Pretty clear I'm being "had", and "taken to the cleaners" and I don't imagine I could plead 'not guilty' in their obviously biased court, rather think they'd be inclined to make it even worse for me.
My question: Do I have any REALISTIC recourse other than paying them the miserable $230?!