I got pulled over & ticketed for failure to signal while my turn signal was not working and I was not aware it was not working...?

The traffic ticket should give you the options admit the infraction and pay the fine; to contest the infraction, or to admit to it but get a chance to explain the circumstances to a judge.

You can choose either to contest it or to explain it to the judge; it does not matter which. You will have a court date and tell the judge your side of the story.

If you do this, it is likely your fine will be reduced if not waived.

Otherwise, just pay the ticket.

No. Doesn't mean you can't beat it in court, but technically and practically for that matter you are suppose to be aware of your safety issues on your car, your signals being one of them. If thats all you got though, try it. Say to the judge they were working when you started driving....

Also, for future reference: If you apply a turn signal and the light indicator on the dash blinks faster than normal, you have a signal out.

It is your responsibility to make sure all lights and signals on your car are working. Most cops wouldn't write a ticket like this but he is allowed to. Its a safety issue and must be corrected. Not knowing isn't an excuse. Its not hard to figure it out when it isn't working. Especially at night if you are actually paying attention. When you turn it on at night you should be able to see it flick on and off. If it isn't, then that means it isn't working.

No, you are the *sshole. You did not signal. It makes no difference that you did not know it was not working. It is your responsibility to maintain your car and the indicator does show inside the car so, you could not have been paying much attention. Music too loud? You are guilty and there is no getting around it. They usually only give you two days to fix it so if you are stopped again, expect to get another ticket, if it has been longer than two days. I know you will not like this answer but, that is the law.

Vehicle operators are responsible for maintaining the vehicle. Doing routine vehicle inspections is a prudent thing to do. You are not getting out of the ticket for failure to use an indicator, with proof from a mechanic that it is/was broken(think that one through for a second or two).

The fact that you were "unaware" that your turn signals only shows that you rarely use them. Unless you're trying show what a clueless driver you are I'd try a different argument.