My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: North Carolina
I got a ticket today for fail or refuse to comply with the lawful traffic control order of a law enforcement officer. The power had went off in the city and the stoplight was not working due to a storm. I was driving in a unfamiliar place and it was raining. I could barely make out if he was signaling for me to go because he was so far away (the police officer). I got a call at that moment telling me that my two year old daughter had just fell from a screen door down two stairs onto the concrete. I was upset and trying to get somewhere to pull over. I went to make the turn but was unfamiliar with which lane to pull into so I just started turning into the one that I saw another car pull into before. Just then the police officer runs up to car. I did not see him at first because I was looking to the left to find where to turn and he was to the right. He ran to the car and said can you not follow my instruction. I tried to explain. He said oh you are on the phone and told me to pull over. I pulled over and waited as he finished directing traffic. He came to the car after checking the tags and asked for my license. I tried to explain to him that the phone is not the problem but the unfamiliar location and weather. I was just trying to see which lane to pull into. He started yelling at me as he did when he stopped me in the middle of the intersection that when it comes to his life he takes it very seriously. I told him that I was looking to see what lane to turn into on my left side so i didnt see him run to the car cause he was to my right. I told him I do not normally drive and talk on the phone but my daughter had just got hurt. I begged and pleaded with him to understand. The weather was bad, I was in a unfamiliar location, and my daughter had just got hurt. Not a good combination. My friend driving behind me said she had no idea why he stopped me because I was not doing anything but turning. He was in no risk of getting hit except when he ran to the car and that is not my fault. I didn't hit him and was not going to. So what should I do. I cannot afford a lawyer. Should I try and get a court appointed lawyer to go to court? Should I just try to pay it off or fight it? What should I do from here? Please help me.