A traffic lawyer would not be able to get an "equipment violation."
If you showed your driving licence, they will mail the ticket to whatever address was on the licence. Hertz will never know about it unless it was a red light camera violation.
It takes 30 to 45 days. That is when you'll find out how much the fine is.
No contest is the same as a guilty plea. No difference in the fine. I expect it to be approximately $150 to $220.
And welcome to California!