Question about fail to stop at stop sign tickets (insurance, live)

[confusing]

Hi all:
I was driving in the campus and didn't pay enough attention. By the time I saw the stop sign, it's too late. I did try to stop but when it stopped I already passed the line. The next thing I knew is the police car was after me. He gave me the ticket and said I can either pay or go to court. The fine is 90 dollars + one point. I had a clear record and this is my first ticket after I got my driving license for 5 years.
I did some search on the internet. It seems that it's possible that they might drop the point if I go to court. My questions are

1 should I choose plea guilty with explanation or should I ask a trial and see whether the cop show up? I believe if I understand it right I can still plea guilty in trial if he did show up. or is this going to leave bad impression to judge? and is not paying attention to be explanation? or I should just plea guilty and not say anything?

2 How long it normally take for the court to set up a trial date? I am going to be out of the country for 10 days next months traveling with my parents. I am afraid that the trial date is going to be in those date. The website of the court said I can ask to change the trial date with explanation but they might not accept. Can I still pay the fine if I can't attend the trial date they set and they don't accept my excuse?

Thank you for reading this and I hope to get your reply.

[B.K.]

Regulations have recently changed in some MD jurisdictions. You may have to request a court date within two weeks of ticket issuance, as summons for traffic ticket hearings are no longer being summarily sent via US mail. Unlike other states I have lived in, MD actually rewards those with traffic infractions just for showing up in court. If you get to court and the officer is not present, plead not guilty and the judge will let you off with court costs. If officer is present, plead "guilty with an explanation" and usually the judge will assess the fine and court costs, but not assign points, particularly if your record is fairly clean. This can save LOTS of money in insurance premiums, especially for younger drivers.

[confusing]

Originally Posted by B.K.

Regulations have recently changed in some MD jurisdictions. You may have to request a court date within two weeks of ticket issuance, as summons for traffic ticket hearings are no longer being summarily sent via US mail. Unlike other states I have lived in, MD actually rewards those with traffic infractions just for showing up in court. If you get to court and the officer is not present, plead not guilty and the judge will let you off with court costs. If officer is present, plead "guilty with an explanation" and usually the judge will assess the fine and court costs, but not assign points, particularly if your record is fairly clean. This can save LOTS of money in insurance premiums, especially for younger drivers.

Thanks for your replying.
2 weeks???!!! But my tickets said 30 days. Are you saying different jurisdictions will have different days limit?

and Yes, my only concern is for the point to increase my insurance.

Hope someone can answer me about the second question.