Do I Really Have to Attend A "Mediation" Hearing 200 Miles Away From Me?

If the letter came from a lawyers office, don't worry about it. If it came from a court (even civil) call the court clerk and request a telephone mediation due to hardship. If this is a criminal offense, you would not reach mediation until AFTER you are found guilty. Sounds like a scare tactic to me, chill and don't call that number EVER again.