Pay it and stop being a jaywalker.

You don't give any specifics. Were you crossing in the middle of the street or after the signal turned red and flashy?

You are not likely to get much sympathy from downtown drivers if it was the against-the-light kind.

How early in the morning? I'm assuming you know that that section 3rd Ave is for buses only between 6 and 9 a.m. (with the exception of cars making a turn at the next block). So you probably won't see many cars there in the morning. Did you see buses? In addition to cops in the area to ticket cars for being illegally on 3rd there are also typically cops hanging out at that corner in order to witness shootings outside of McDonald's. Jaywalking at 3rd and Pine is riskier than not using a condom.

Someone else here can better answer the driving record part, but I thought only "moving [vehicle] violations" count on your record (i.e. speeding) and not things like parking tickets and jaywalking.

wow, i didnt know they where real either....

Fight the Man!!!

just pay it. if you pay it late the fine doubles. my last ticket cost me over $100 in the end.

it's a bitch but at the very least there's good reason behind it.

Just pay it. It'll be a lot less work to contest it and then have to pay it anyways. Then, pay more attention next time when you're jaywalking. Look left, look right, and then look around to see if there are any cops around. Usually when they're actually ticketing jaywalkers in this city, there will be cops waiting at the corners.

1. Pay it and stop jaywalking, the tickets are for real, obviously.
2. If you feel that there are extenuating circumstances, there is an appeal process on the back of the ticket.