Before I give my two cents I will tell you call a lawer in S.C. to confirm how a suporting deposition works.
1 For all tickets I always check the NOT GUILTY box on the summons and mail it in even if I dont plan on showing for court yet.
2 Check yes for requesting a supporting deposition. What this dose in MOST cases is the Officer has to provide you with a statement of why He or She wrote the ticket, OR show up in court. In New York State if you request a supporting deposition and you dont receive it, the Officer must show up or they dismiss the charges.
3 Call the court clerk and ask to speak with the D.A. and an attorney if its a ticket you will most likely have to fight and ask if they will plea it out by mail some will some wont.
This buys you time to research and decide if you want to show up and fight the charge.
Make sure you send all mail CERTIFIED this proves you sent it and they received it.
Decide how much dammage this will cause if its somthing that will not cause too much dammage and can be remedied by taking a driver safety course, or pay the fine with no points to your lisence.
Ticketts that carry points and a fine that cannot be negotiated by mail you MUST show up for court. Dont be suprised if you still have a fine close to what the violation has, but if you dodge the moving violation points I call that a draw.
Take the best plea bargin, pay the fine and go on with your life.
If you opt for a trial keep in mind the plea goes away, You fight the original caharge/s, you get charged all the fines, all the court fees, and get all the points, and all the hassle with insurance and your employer if you are found guilty.
If you mail in a fine send it Certified mail This practice saved my butt a couple years ago it took the US post ofice three weeks to deliver a letter one hundred and fifty miles away inside the U.S. Brockport NY to Philadelphia P.A.
Whatever you choose good luck.
Bob Wolf