Freeway Speeding Citation

So this is my first speeding citation said he clocked me at 85 on a 70 freeway, and I'm uncertain of the process. I have a few things I need answered as well please. First of the police officer wrote down the address on my driver's license which is outdated so I'm unsure of how to get a hold of the mail I should be getting. I received the ticket today 10/22/13 and my court date is unfortunately on Christmas Eve, however is the court date on the citation the day you contest as well? Or is it the day you schedule a day to contest. I understand that many people say that if you contest there is a high chance that the cop will not show up, but I honestly don't know what I'd do if he did show up. I wouldn't have anything realistic to say. Also I was reading that you can plead guilty, but when you stand up and the judge asks if you're guilty, do you say I plead guilty and ask if I could take traffic school AND reduce the fine since I don't have much money, or is it one or the other. Another question I had was can you negotiate this outside of court? Because I've seen people say that sure the judge will lower the fine but then you have to pay court fees. So I'm not sure what to do right now.

This is is Temecula, California, where I received the citation.

You can use the DMV's online system to change your address, but you should also check with the court towards the end of this week or early next week to make sure they have your current address on file.

At some point (a few weeks from now, most likely) you'll be sent a Courtesy Notice, which will list the fine amount, your options, and set a deadline for selecting one of the options (which may differ from the date listed on your ticket). Basically you have three options:

1) Plead not guilty and request a Trial By Written Declaration (note that you will need to pay the fine ("bail") in order to contest via TBWD)
2) Plead guilty and pay the fine (plus traffic school, if you're eligible and wish to take it)
3) Request a court date (this is an arraignment, where the judge will potentially offer fine reductions for those who plead guilty, or you can plead not guilty and schedule a trial date). You can also request traffic school in addition to a fine reduction if you plead guilty.

The court has to receive (meaning you can't mail it on the deadline -- they have to have gotten it) notice of which option you're choosing by the date on your Courtesy Notice, or the date on your citation, whichever is earlier. If you haven't received your Courtesy Notice by the end of November at the latest, contact the court. Specifics for Riverside County Traffic Court can be found here: http://www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/s...ficcourt.shtml

I think that's everything, but as it's well after midnight, I may have forgotten to mention something.