Cops get paid to go to court all the same as being on the street so its no big deal for them to show up. However, no cop is going to cancel their hollidays to come in to trafic court. Close to xmas, you might get luck and they're a no show. That's about your only bet to win on your own. However, you can ask the judge for a break on the fine by asking to make payments on it instead of all at once. I have seen them grant it up here.
In other words, if the cop is there, just plead out on the charge and request a payment deferal of the judge based on financial hardship (being a father of a big family, being a student, high debt load, you name it), so long as it is reasonable. He may even decide to lower the fine himself- it may be rude to ask yourself for a reduction in the cost. Just cover you ass for being there. However, go ahead and fight if the cop ain't there, then you could win. Its worth showing up to see. No matter what- kiss that judge's ass and don't piss him off lol.
Another alternative is an inexpensive lawyer/company that works based on only if you win. They are worth it if you are low on points left over on your license(otherwise screw it). They are called POINTS up here. I'm sure you have a lot of those guys in your area too, just look in the yellow pages. They usually know every play in the book.
ps... the worst ticket I got was for about $350 in one shot, ouch. The cop picked my car apart and found even crap on my license that was wrong and he could fine me. I was going 6 mph over, but the rest was the crap he could nail me with. Bad mood or what. The above was stuff a lawyer pal told me to do too after I got that one.
Godd luck anyway you slice it.