red light ticket for permit holder, nj

[smelk66]

i recently got a ticket in new jersey for running a red light. i don't have a license yet but i had my permit. my mother was in the car and we both agreed that the light was yellow, but nonetheless i revieved a ticket. granted, the light could have turned red in the time when i was still in the intersection but couldn't see the light. my mother also vouches that there were two other cars in the intersection when we went through. since i only have a permit, if i do get this ticket will it affect my ability to recieve my license? also, the officer repedadly told me how to plead not-guilty as if he were suggesting it. my court date is soon and i was wondering what the best course of action at the trial would be. my mother will, of course, come with me, but i was wondering what the worst case senario would be for the outcome of this violation. honestly, i did make a conscious decision to go through the yellow light when i was approching the intersection because i thought it turned yellow at a point when i would have had to either plaster the passengers against the windshield or end up significantly over the white line. truly, i am not a bad driver, and my mother and i dont think i deserve this ticket to go on my record before i even have my lisence.