I would challenge their charge and fight it. I've done it before for obstructing justice and they dropped it from $300 to $100 without even doing anything. That was 20 years ago, but when I went to court the prosecutor came up to me before the judge came in and ask me if I'd plead guilty if they dropped the fine to $100, which I agreed to. But see how they just want to keep the fines within your budget so you just pay it without a fight?
But if you want to fight it, I would also try some of the tips given in these video's and try to stay away from the strawman stuff because you haven't set up the separation yet have you? These video's are the ones you just posted so maybe you've seen them already.
Beating Civil Traffic Tickets - Part 1 Standing
Beating Civil Traffic Tickets - Part 2 impeach a witness (the cop)
I was wondering too, wasn't it Winston who said that you aren't properly served if they give you a copy (the pink slip) of the ticket? I would think they have to present the original in court, just like with your mortgage in a foreclosure. No original, no case. Plus you can claim you weren't properly served I would think.
Personally, I would also ask them what crime am I being accused of? If they say not using a turn signal then you've got them admitting you're being tried for a crime. Then they have to prove you committed a crime. And a crime has to show lose, injury or harm. This is a basic foundation in law.
"The label of "crime" and the accompanying social stigma normally confine their scope to those activities seen as injurious to the general population or the State, including some that cause serious loss or damage to individuals."
You didn't cause any loss, damage or injury to anybody!
If they try and say something like a crime is any violation of their state laws statutes or other BS, remind them that according to The Constitution under Article 1 Section 8 it says ONLY Congress has the right "To make ALL LAWS which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof." Nowhere in The Constitution does it say the states have any right to make laws or any of the other ways they try to extract money from you. http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Article4
And like Winston said if the judge tries to practice law from the bench, remind him of his oath and shut his ass up! It's between you and the cop right? The rest are third parties right?
Anyway, I'd try some of those things. All that can happen is you may pay a little more for court costs right? As long as you don't get out of hand anyway. What state do you live in by the way?
Good Luck Amigo! You got someone keeping you in their thoughts on this one and please keep me posted on what happens! Go T GO! GO T GO!