In some jurisdictions there is a discount if you pay before a certain date - but if you wish to contest then the time it takes to do that will expire the discount period.

It's cleverly and obviously intentional practice that plays on people's time to defend themselves being worth more than the discounted price.

And in some of these jurisdictions, the clock restarts when you are informed that your appeal was unsuccessful (even if the collecting agency likes to pretend otherwise.) So check the rules first.

Not really. You have to pay the bail amount up front. Options are:

-Go to court and plead not guilty: send the bail amount, wait for your court date. If found not guilty, you get some $$ back. If guilty, pay the fine amount (less bail).

-Plead guilty/no contest via mail: send them the bail amount, they keep the $$ (bail forfeiture).