My question involves criminal law for the state of: California.
Help needed! I know it's not very serious, but I was with 4 other friends (all over 21) in a Los Angeles parking lot sharing a bottle of vodka. We were sitting in a parked car and all of a sudden 4 police officers approach us with flashlights and give us all misdemeanor citations (4127 (C) LAMC). They were very nice about it and said that it would probably get turned into an infraction. However, I don't really want to just take their word for it.
I have to appear in court in about a month's time and I actually want to move it earlier if possible. How should I proceed? I really don't think I can afford having a misdemeanor (or anything as a matter of fact) on my record at this time. It would really hurt my job search chances right now.
Should I plead guilty? Not guilty? The officer said that "If you plead not guilty, we'll have to come in, which we don't mind because we get overtime for it". I think he meant we shouldn't plead not guilty..?
Thanks a lot for any help! I appreciate it.

