When I've fought tickets in New York and Connecticut, the first step of fighting a ticket is coming in for your 'court date' and waiting in line to talk to a prosecutor where you get about 5 minutes or less of negotiation. They'll usually offer you a deal, which is less than the original ticket. But even if they don't offer you a deal, you don't have to pay any additional court costs - you're just stuck with the original ticket, or the right to request a trial.

It's only when you request the trial that court costs and higher penalties come into play.