*Pled* (or more correctly *pleaded*, but it doesn't 'sound' right).
Plead is the first person present tense of the verb "to plead" - How do you plead? I *plead* guilty, Sir.
Plea is a noun - you entered a plea.
When you entered a guilty plea, you *pleaded* guilty (or *pled* guilty) - this was in the past.
Minor point, but if you're correcting yourself, do it correctly.
General points, listen, try to avoid interrupting unless absolutely necessary, and perhaps most importantly don't drive there (or more precisely understand that unless the hearing is aborted, you won't be driving back). Avoid looking like you are ignoring the court - if you are asked something and need to think for a moment, explain to the court that you need a moment to answer.
Don't be surprised if the court are not blown away by your selfless offer to take any course offered in exchange for a shorter ban.
Whether you want to take a buddy for moral support depends on how much you want moral support vs how much your buddy has better things to do. However, if your buddy thinks he's Perry Mason and is planning to heroically defend you by arguing with the court, don't.
Mostly, what is done is done, and very little that you do or say in court will make much difference.
That said, lay benches (3 lay magistrates) are often very good at being objective, and not being overly swayed by their opinions of the accused - they are there to perform a very solemn and important task to the best of their abilities. If you have a District Judge (qualified magistrate, sitting on his own), some are as fair and balanced as any lay bench, but some are more prone to
