There's lots of resources online specifically about your state, that will be important, as every state is different.

In one state where I lived, you had the right to transfer moving violations to criminal court (the court for tickets was generally a Justice of the Peace, which is an appointee, so a legal education isn't required to be one).

Criminal court has higher requirements for everyone involved, so it can be useful for defense purposes. It also costs more, both for the state and for you in court fees (fines will be the same). The advantage is the state is motivated to plea your charge down to clear the docket. I've seen this many times, for everything under the sun. But, every state is different.

I assume since you have court it's because this is your first ticket, and you're young - not sure why they do that, but it's not uncommon. I guess they want to put the fear of the legal system in you. Had the opposite effect for me, saw it was just a process, that goes on all day, every day. Later tickets you just pay.

Don't wear a shirt, cover yourself with some form of grease, you MUST bring a goose (anger level is up to you) and last but certainly not least, you have to walk in the court room singing the opening lines of Get Low by lil Jon.

Pls update us with the result tommorrow

I went once for something similar - maybe registration - i can't remember. I got there early and asked the clerk what to do. Before court started someone came out and made a deal for me to pay half the ticket, plus court fee (like $30) and get it resolved. Went with my DIL who had her license suspended many many times. Clerk helped us get the hardship paperwork and the judge was firm about following the rules but nice about explaining them.

Dress well

Dress fairly nice. No shorts, no wacky t-shirts

Get there as early as you can. They may have free legal aid on hand.

Country?

Put on “nice dinner with grandma” clothes. Try not to show up inebriated.

Are you sure what this is? 20 years ago I had a ticket for an out headlight and when I went to check in they said 'why are you here, just go to the clerk and pay your fine'. No fine was on the ticket but the clerk could looh it up. I did go to the judge and explained that I just didn't get the fix verrified in time and ask the judge for mercy because I was a student. Got my $70 fine reduced to $35.

your milage may vary but I expect something like this.

A cop giving a ticket for a simple expired license is a dickhead. Don't say that in court.

Do you have a valid reason for not receiving mail re: renewal of license? Move recently? It's not an excuse but it is an explanation for why it happened.

Plead "Nolo Contendere." You're guilty of the charge, the law and judge don't care that you forgot. They're not your parents, and it's your responsibility. You'll probably just get a fine.

https://legaldictionary.net/nolo-contendere/

Dress well to show respect for the court.

How'd it go?

Find out what level offense this is in your state. Likely is not a crime (misdemeanor or felony) but a violation for the first offense.

If it is a misdemeanor, get a public defender and ask for a plea to a lesser charge.

There is likely a standard plea offer for all similarly situated charges/defendants. It may change depending on whether you have renewed your license. If that’s the case you can ask for additional time to renew. That will buy you another court date but give you a chance to get a better resolution if you fix the issue.

Dress like you would for church or a job interview.

Make sure your cellphone is on silent (and if you think it could ring by accident just turn your phone off when in court)

*The process in your local area will vary