My question involves a speeding ticket from the State of: Washington
Ok I have a problem. It is completely my fault but looking for some help/experience.
I will get the question out of the way then explain.
What right do i have if courts didnt receive my response to ticket in the mail?
I was driving in Washington when I was pulled over. Initially the office asked if I knew why he pulled me over. I said no. He said my exhaust was too load, I presented him with proof it had just passed emissions in the last 6 months and noise test was done. He left and went to car for short time. When he returned he had asked if i had been drinking.I said no and I would be happy to perform any tests. He then said "I believe you, I was just trying to figure out why you would be doing 40mph in a 30mph zone with your children in your car?"
I said we are on our way to the movies and I wasnt speeding. He went back to his car and came back with a ticket stated 40mph in a 30mph zone. I asked to see his SMD and he said "if you took a moment to read the ticket you would see I paced you"
Soo... I found this site did my research and was completely ready to beat this case with math and tips from this forum. After about a month passes by and the courts send me nothing. So I called the courts and they explain they just sent out a letter because they never received the ticket from me.
This is my fault because I know I should have sent it certified but there was a huge line at post office because of the holiday season and i thought I would save myself a buck because what really matters is I send out the letter for discovery with certified mail. This really bit me in the butt.
So now I have went to courts paid a fee and have been granted a show of cause hearing. The clerk says if the judge allows it he will grant me a contested hearing but I should be ready at that time to plead my case.
So back to my question
What rights do I have? Is there a way to get a contested hearing? Is their a defense that forces the judge to give me a contested hearing?
I apologize for the long post. I have searched 17 pages and really found nothing to answer my dilemma.
Thanks so much.

I said we are on our way to the movies and I wasnt speeding. He went back to his car and came back with a ticket stated 40mph in a 30mph zone. I asked to see his SMD and he said "if you took a moment to read the ticket you would see I paced you"