driving without a license

I went through this with an expired registration. The officer advised me to get it renewed before going to court, and the case would be dismissed. He was right, though I believe this was in Oklahoma. Be sure your insurance is also up to date before going to court.

Your case may differ, but that was my experience.

Oklahoma seems to be surprisingly liberal in it's traffic laws. I once had a case where the guy was found intoxicated behind the wheel at a rest stop and an unlit marijuana cigarette was discovered on the floor by his feet. The cops cited him, took him to the local hoosegow and he was fined $100. He paid the fine and he was let go, all in the space of an afternoon.

it should be about twice that

As mentioned, laws vary state-by-state, but typically, if violations such as license or registration lapse (that's "lapse", as in expired - usually relatively recently - not suspended, revoked or non-existant, which are other matters entirely) or missing or faulty required equipment are verifiably corrected prior to the court date, penalties are reduced if not altogether waived.

That's been my experience in several states, across a variety of instances over the years

Equus-

It depends on how short of dough they are.They would crucify you if they thought it wouldn't cause a storm of protest or clean you out otherwise.

Not obeying the rules is a serious offence.

really an unemployment certificate

FYI if you are interested: the judge dismissed the charge for driving with an expired license when I demonstrated I had had it renewed.

Dodged that bullet.

As long as you get it renewed before court, it shouldn't be a problem. It should be a minimal fine, if any at all.