You usually have to pay first before they let you contest. My ticket was $380 for a red light.

get an extension to pay your ticket (in order to let time pass). I think its over a month.

Pay your ticket and request that they let you know wich available dates you can come in infront of a judge.

Pick The latest date you can(to let more time pass). A plus if its close to a holiday.

Large cities write so many tickets, after a few months, they might not have any records on your infraction anymore. No LEO shows up and you get your money back in the mail.