First Time Paraphernalia Charge

[SMGucci]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Arizona

Last night me and a friend were sitting outside of a house in my car and suddenly a fire truck and a cop car pull up (I guess there was a fire nearby but that is irrelevant). The cop comes up and starts asking questions and searches my backpack (I realize I should have told him he couldn't without a warrant, but I messed up, and now paying dearly for it). There was about a gram of marijuana and my pipe in there. The cop didn't arrest me but instead wrote me a ticket for possession of drug paraphernalia. My court date is on the 30th, this is my first charge I've ever had, and I just turned 18 by the way.

I just want to know what I need to do, what I should plead in court, etc. I still live at home and I'd really like for my parents not to find this out, they would kill me. Does anything get sent in the mail to me, they are the ones that check all the mail.

Any help is appreciated, thank you.

[Mr. Knowitall]

The answer is the same as that in any of the hundreds of virtually identical threads you can find in this forum - investigate first offender drug diversion programs in your county to see if your an avoid a conviction as a first time offender charged with a minor drug offense. There may be information on your county court's website, or your county prosecutor's website.