Drug Paraphernalia Possession

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Wisconsin

Age: 18

I was recently stopped in a park after smoking a bowl, the officer claimed he could smell the Marijuana and searched me, finding my glass pipe. I was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and nothing else.

My first question is, since this is my first offense, are there any programs or alternate charges I could have the charge reduced to to avoid the $681 fine written on the ticket, or possibly have it reduced?

My second question is that I read online that your driver's license will also be suspended for six months, if I simply pay the ticket is this still in effect, since my court date isn't mandatory and the ticket doesn't say anything about a license suspension?

Third, will appearing in court result in the aforementioned license suspension?

Get an attorney and see about conditional release, which would keep the charge off your record and keep your driving privileges intact.

If you simply pay the ticket, you're admitting to the possession. This amounts to a conviction, and you'll lose your license for 6 months.

Thank you for responding.

Do you know how I would go about filing for a conditional release? I cannot afford an attorney.

Am I supposed to wait for my court date to ask for alternative sentencing or is there anyone I can contact beforehand that may help?