Are traffic lawyers that cheap in TX? A shitty attorney in NY will cost $200 for a minor violation with a clean record.

My advice: traffic courts, or courts in general really, are designed to chew up people who have no legal experience. The prosecutor and judge both work for the State and thus, are on the same team. Unless you REALLY put in a lot of time and research into preparing your defense and studying the applicable traffic law, I'd be very hesitant to request trial. Plead not guilty by mail, and send a nice letter to the prosecutor along with your clean (hopefully) driving abstract. Ask for mercy and if things go right, you should get a plea deal for something with no license points.