[TexasSP]

Based on the car you drive I highly doubt trying to make yourself out to be a "poor" student will work too well.

In Texas we have attorney's offices that strictly handle traffic violations. You pay them $100.00 and they go to court with you and get the ticket dismissed and/or similar. It's kind of shady to me but works.

Maybe California has similar unless it's "known to the state of California to be hazardous to your health".