My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: California (Yolo County, Davis)

First Post on this site,

I recently was cited by an officer at around 11:30pm for failure to stop at a stop sign. I admit that I did not come to a stop at the stop sign present and am wondering what is the best option for me to proceed now. This is my first ticket and so I am for advice on how to proceed. I am a college student and money is tight but I understood that I did was in the wrong.

I figure that I have three main options when I get the courtesy notice in my mail.

Option 1: It is my guess and probably likely that I will be offered traffic school as an option. So, I would take that option, pay the fine of around $250 to $350 (OUCH!) on the ticket, around $20 for online traffic school, and whatever court fees are also incurred. This seems like the most straightforward option in my mind.

Option 2: Contest the ticket in . I have several friends that told me to take this path, however I am reluctant. I guess the "plan" would be to show up and plead "not guilty" if the officer does not show up and "guilty" and ask for a fee reduction but retain right for traffic school still (No assurances of the judge granting me the reduction of course). I am unsure of this option, it would take the most time but could yield good results.

Option 3: I spoke with a lawyer during a free consultation over the phone. He offered, if I enlisted his services for $50, to take the Trial by Written Declaration process outlined on his website: http://www.robertromerolaw.com/calif...ation-process/
I was a bit skeptical as it seems like gambling that the officer on the other end wont write to the judge (or at least in my case). This option seemed like a weaker version of Option 2,just that it would save me from going to court at the cost of $50.

I know that I have done wrong and am trying to get on with my life. What would you guys suggest as far as my options?