My question involves criminal law for the state of: Vermont
I was driving to a hotel at approximately 12 midnight in Vermont when I went around a corner that had a stop sign hidden under a large pile of snow. I recognized there was a stop when I noticed an "all four lanes stop" marked after the actual stop sign. At this point I had applied my brakes and it was too unsafe to lock them on the ice, and with my luck a police officer was coming in the opposite direction.
After he pulled me over I gave him all my valid credentials and claimed I wasn't aware of the stop sign until it was too late due to the snow covering, I didn't want to lock the brakes and lose control so I continued as there were no other vehicles. He went back to his car and I assumed a ticket was coming.
Upon the officer returning to my vehicle, he asked "why do I smell the scent of marijuana coming from your vehicle." As I had never been in trouble in my life I froze up and claimed it was on my clothes from a party I left in Massachusetts before my 3 hour drive to Vermont. At this point he had me step out of the car and began questioning me at his cruiser. He was essentially leading me to "give me whatever you have" or I will throw the book at you scenario, I didn't understand what the process and what my rights were at this time and figured it would be easier to just offer the bag I had in my vehicle assuming he was going to search the car anyways under probable cause and any cooperation may help my cause.
I was placed in handcuffs and in the back of the cruiser while he talked the scenario over with another officer outside the vehicle, I could tell the other guy wanted to tow the car and bring me in. They did not search my car at all after I had given them the small bag in my possession (less than 3 grams). I was told "because you were such a gentleman and cooperated with us, we don't normally do this." They took me out of cuffs and instructed me to drive in between two cruisers to the station around the corner to be processed thus not having to tow my car.
I was processed in about an hour, issued a $214 ticket for running the stop sign and now have a criminal court date in March for misdemeanor possession of marijuana 18 VSA 4230(a)(1). The only paperwork I had to sign other than the citation was a release having to deal with their security cameras in their station. I can honestly say that at no point during this ordeal was I read my Miranda rights, even though I was told I was being arrested.
Please note I was not "driving under the influence" and was not charged as such. The smell had been from the bag in my passenger compartment. There was no paraphernalia found either.
I have never had a single issue with the law in my entire life other than a speeding ticket here or there. My personal issue is that I work in the securities industry and any criminal activity is reported to FINRA and it could result in a termination from my position which would essentially ruin my life at this point.
From the research I have done I can see there is a "conditional release" option for first time offenders or the "possibility of deferred sentencing for first offenders."
Is this something I can represent myself in court by requesting "conditional release?"? Do I need to submit a guilty plea to do so? My ultimate goal is to have this NOT appear on my record AT ALL. Can anyone offer any insight into my situation? Anything you can share is greatly appreciated.
Also note, I have contacted a few criminal defense lawyers in the area in hopes to speak to counsel on this and I have not heard back from any messages I have left. I am currently assuming a "first time offender" isn't a very lucrative opportunity for an attorney who can easily make more with "bigger fish to fry." Perhaps I shouldn't leave details of the case in voicemails?

