Hi Maureen,
I did not talk to the judge. Before the court starts, the prosecutor will call your name and will talk to you to see whether an settlement can be reached or not. This is the time that you can bargin with the prosecutor. In my case, the ticket flighter represented me to do the bargining. When the court starts, the prosecutor will call your name and tell the judge about your charge. If you have settled with the prosecutor, the judge will announce your penalty and you do not need to say anything. If not, then this is the time you have to explain why you are not commit to the charge. Hope this will help and let me know your result.
Marianna