I haven't had a ticket since about 2003 -- and that one got thrown out when the cop didn't show up for court. Incidentally, I always recommend showing up for court, if you have the means, for that very reason. Your odds might be 40/60 the cop doesn't show up and in that case the judge will dismiss the ticket almost every time. I've gotten out of two tickets that way.

If the cop does show up, you either plead not guilty and argue with the cop in front of the judge or your plea no contest if he had you dead to rights. Worst that can happen is you're found guilty and you pay the same fine you would have paid if you'd mailed it in.

Unless you lose your cool and piss off the judge who finds you in contempt of court. I don't recommend that at all.

The only tickets I ever mail in are parking tickets, cuz I'm usually in the wrong with those. It's hard to argue a parking violation. You either parked illegally or you didn't. Not much gray area there in which to argue.