My question involves criminal law for the state of: California. Santa Clara County. Violation of P. C. 640
I was riding the light rail for the first time when I was checked for a ticket. I showed them my SJSU ID card and the VTA travel sticker on it, and thought I was in the clear, but I was riding it on 8/23, and the pass is not valid until 8/24. When the ticket showed up in the mail, it was a fine of $276. I can't afford that, so I contested the ticked and requested a court date.
My argument is that I had already paid my student enrollment fees, which includes the cost of the VTA travel sticker. I made an honest mistake by not reading the sticker closely, and I would have bought a ticket had I noticed that the pass was not yet valid. I was also riding the light rail for school reasons - to buy books and find out where my classes are (I even have a receipt from the bookstore). I also have the pass that I bought for the return trip.
What should I do in court with my argument? How is traffic court in Santa Clara County usually conducted? Any advice will be really appreciated.

