Should I defend myself in traffic court?

Last night, at 9:50 PM, I was approaching an intersection driving west at approximately 35 mph when the light turned yellow. If I had stomped on my brakes, I would not have had sufficient time to stop and would have skid into the intersection so I gunned the engine and drove through. At the exact moment that I was completely across the meridian, the light turned red. A police officer sitting in traffic facing north pulled me over and gave me a $182 ticket for running a red light. I have contacted the police department and a Lt. told me the only thing I can do is go to court and that this officer has to no reason to lie. What is your advice?