You must go to arraignment and enter a plea of not guilty to get a trial date. Many LA County courts do not require posting of bail- while some do. If you have an attorney you will not have to post bail.
Pleading NOT GUILTY is a completed arraignment not a waiver of arraignment. An arraignment is when you enter a plea. If you are pleading not guilty bail will be required to schedule a trial date--unless you retain an attorney to do it for you. I'm guessing you are already OR as people are not booked into jail on traffic offenses. The bail required to set trial is essentially the fine amount and is intended to ensure your appearance at trial. IF you fail to appear, they already have your money. That's what's going on here. Consider retaining an attorney if you really want to fight the ticket with any chance of success.
Are you afraid they are going to arrest you for a traffic citation? What have you been cited for? Hire an attorney. He can likely handle the matter without your having to go to court. Good luck.
Yes! As one or more of my colleagues have pointed out, the Court will likely not require bail if you have an attorney, but you still have a right to request to be released on your own recognizance if you represent yourself. The notion of requesting bail on traffic infractions offends me because the decision on setting bail and how much depends on two factors: 1) danger to the community - the Court can consider the current charge and history of violence (doubtful the traffic court is looking at your RAP sheet) and 2) flight risk (it's an infraction, and if you showed up on your own will to arraignment, you're not a flight risk - promise you'll come back for trial).