Operating Handheld Device Ticket

Hey folks,

Last March I received a citation for Operating a handheld device while driving. Back story to it, I was driving for work and I use the maps feature however it is wired CarPlay. The cord being finnicky was not connecting my map to my car. At a red light, I reconnected the cord to the device. I was never “operating” it however I later understood the rule is you can’t even be in possession of the device.

Only reason I was caught was an unmarked suv sitting next to me at the light that saw me do the motion that I did not notice.

I plead not guilty to the charge and was given a court date in the spring for a trial on it. A few questions on this and recommended course of action.

1. Because of the law being so black and white , even with the nature of what happened, this should be an open/shut conviction right?

2. Is there a lesser charge that the crown may agree to that will not impact insurance? That’s my biggest concern as I do drive a lot for employment.

3. The assigned court date , I need to be out of the province for work on that day. If an extension is honoured, does that affect anything?

Sorry for not understand a lot of the terms here as I have 14 years driving experience and drive 40-50k a year without as much as a written warning and unfortunately was in a wrong place, wrong time situation. I understand the black and white of the law but what is the best angle here?