Failure to Observe Barricade in Highway Construction

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Utah

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Utah

Got a ticket for failure to observe a barricade ( misdemeanor class b, mandated to appear in court) . Thing is, there were barricades lined up for about 100 ft to the exit, but no road work signs or men at work, slow down signs etc. just barricades. The barricades were largely spaced out. Enough to easily allow my van through a space. There was a cop car about 75 ft away and a small concrete coring crew working on the road. The exit to the highway looked like it was open( with the largely spaced barricades so I turned into it and that's when the cop came rushing that I was in a construction zone , the highway was closed and issued a ticket.
I wouldn't have turned had it looked like it was a closed construction exit( there was a cop there, why would I set myself up?) but it truly looked like a functioning and opened exit, kind of like when construction crews are working and the open a lane. I told the cop this and he said the ticket is for coming around the barricade. Is there anyway to fight this? It is my first traffic offense. What charges am I looking at if the find me guilty? Does anyone know what approximate fine I should expect? Thanks

What other signs were present? Did you take any photographs?