Update on the situation:

I went to court his morning to see the judge. I did what oc_civic recommended and asked to plead to a lesser charge. I didn't realize it at the time but the county's prosecutor (or their clerk) was standing right next to me.

It was reduced to a simple speeding ticket. $100 + penalties and assesments came out to $321. I'm relatively happy, because the fine for what I was originally charged with was $500, and + P&A would have come out to about $1500.

There was another fellow in court for exhibition of speed and speeding on the highway. We went upstairs to pay for our fines about the same time, his bill was $1300 .