Hard to say if you got a better deal than going to trial but definitely better than the original charge. Seems like you might have had a nastier than usual JP so odds are she might have not been very sympathetic had you decided to go to trial. Normally, I would expect an adjournment because of non-disclosure. It isn't right for you to have to go to this forum to get help with translating the officer's scribbles. It was very good that you'd seen other cases, would have been even better if you saw a trial. It is a real eye opener and if you ever have a chance it would be good for the future. The way police enforce traffic these days I think most drivers are bound to get a ticket within the next 5 years. Kudos to you for going to court, that is what we all should be doing to stop this surtax.