Just a follow up....

After speaking to a very helpful person at the Sheriff's office, I decided to appear for my court date. Apparently, if you go to court, they will down-grade your ticket so it won't be reported to the state, and it won't affect your insurance rate. When I got to court, the lines were daunting, but I was in and out of there in about 40 minutes. Not bad at all! The fee was the same (strangely everyone I talked to was clocked going 51mph in a 35mph), but I was just happy to get it over with and get back to my normal life. Thank God for small favors!