There’s lots of resources online specifically about your state, that will be important, as every state is different.

In one state where I lived, you had the right to transfer moving violations to criminal court (the court for tickets was generally a Justice of the Peace, which is an appointee, so a legal education isn’t required to be one).

Criminal court has higher requirements for everyone involved, so it can be useful for defense purposes. It also costs more, both for the state and for you in court fees (fines will be the same). The advantage is the state is motivated to plea your charge down to clear the docket. I’ve seen this many times, for everything under the sun. But, every state is different.

I assume since you have court it’s because this is your first ticket, and you’re young - not sure why they do that, but it’s not uncommon. I guess they want to put the fear of the legal system in you. Had the opposite effect for me, saw it was just a process, that goes on all day, every day. Later tickets you just pay.