I don't mean to sound like one of those "secret incantation conspiracy types" but I got a ticket in NY one time, I went to court hoping the cop wouldn't show up. The judge called me up, I said I wanted to contest it, they put me last, I waited 2 hours and the cop showed up. I did my best, but they fined me anyway.
I met a lawyer later that told me you can request a written account of the incident and if they don't send it to you on time, they throw it out. I don't know what the secret code is, but the lawyer said that in NY that option is on the small print on the back of the ticket.
I'd try both of those if it happened again. If they don't send you the written account, thrown out. If the cop doesn't show up, thrown out. Definitely increases your chances and in the worst case, you're clogging up their system.