fyi, got fine reduced in half, without asking to lower
 

not sure if this will help somebody,
i was going to contest my ticket, changed my first court date, when i got letter for the second court date, i just plead guilty

i didnt fill out the part asking for lowering fine.
anyhow, got conviction notice, the clerk reduced the fine to half.

hopefully this helps

I believe that a JP has to make that decision. There are mandated mandatory minimum fines for some charges. The JP is supposed to review your application and then, in my experience with my VTS, has told me of the excuse used and if I had any counter-evidence. Some I objected to and the fine stayed, some I didn't and they were dropped.

I hate when I see cops telling people that they can just ask for a reduction of fine from the JP and then when they go up there the JP has to explain that the minimum fine for speeding is 138 (or whatever it is) which is what they have so it can not be reduced but they will give more time to pay for the fine LOL. I've seen it happen quite a few times actually.