I appreciate the response. Just to clarify, he didn't know much about NJ law. I told him that inspection stickers are on the windshield in NJ, and mine is on there and valid. He didn't even acknowledge that my plates were from NJ, basically just treated it as if they were from CA, and didn't have an expiration tag. Yes, the plate is currently registered in NJ and valid through May of 2011.
I agree that the 12951(a) wasn't appropriate, and I thank you for catching that, because I did not read up on that law compared to 12500. It seems like 12500(a) is a stricter penalty (charged up to a misdemeanor?) I think based on what you said, I might as well plead not guilty. If you plead not guilty and do a TBWD, and are found guilty, can the original fines (ie: the 466 dollars increase). Basically, is it a risk by pleading not guilty and later found guilty as opposed to just pleading guilty to begin with? I'm literally leaving the state before December, and am thinking it might be cheaper to plead guilty and pay the $466 then to go through registering the vehicle, smog test..etc, and also getting a CA license, and have the car here for maybe 3 weeks tops.
If I do plead guilty - will there be anything to prevent me from being charged with the same exact thing immediately after pleading guilty and paying the fine, if I am in fact pulled over again before I leave? Also, if you plead guilty at the arraignment in CA, can you ever appeal your decision?

