College student with $100 ticket

Im a 21 year old guy that lives in a small town in Wisconsin. Yesterday morning I was leaving my apartment in a rush because I was running late for an exam at my college. As I turned the corner I saw that the light down the hill was green so I put my car into sport mode and made it halfway through the light while it was yellow before it turned red. Right as that happened an officer I didn't see pulling up made a U- turn and pulled me over. I explained why I was in a rush and he was very understanding and quick with the process. I now have a $100 ticket I have to pay. I've gotten pulled over once before last summer for going 12 over but was let off with a warning.

I want to know what the likelihood of going to court and asking for forgiveness to not pay it or if it's even worth it. I'm not a reckless driver by any means and have a insurance discount to prove it. I have money to pay for it but I'm also a full time student and work on the weekends so I don't have a lot of money coming in. What should I do?