Before you hirer an attorney, you may want to call the clerk of the court where you are required to appear and ask for the name of the prosecutor that will be handling the case. Call them up or better yet go see them and ask if he/she would let you plead guilty to a lessor charge that is not a misdemeanor. If he/she agrees, I can assure you that the fines will be higher but you won't have the misdemeanor on your record.

