Hi everyone, I would just like to say I know near to nothing about the legal system, I am 17 and have previously never fell afoul of the law.
A few months ago I was on my way home from work and it was rush hour, I am a very safe driver, however I drove through a yellow light which turned red as I entered the intersection. Rather than stopping I continued through as the safest course of action.
I was pulled over, when pulling over I drove slowly to the next available parking lot as there was no shoulder to pull onto, and I did not wish to seem as if i was evading arrest.
The police officer asked to see my license and registration which I promptly showed him. My car smells slightly of cigars as my good friend smokes them and I dont mind the smell. The police officer profiled me on the spot and seeing my dreadhawk asked me if I was smoking marijuana and then asked me to step out of the car and after making me stand at the back of my car with another police officer he searched my car. He found a marijuana blunt in my car somewhere(I dont know where but obviously not in the open)
The car was actually purchased a few months previously in my fathers name with my money and it was a possibility that it was "stashed" somewhere inside the car when I bought it.
I was put into handcuffs and my person was searched. There were no obvious lumps on me. Not surprisingly after searching me and my car again no more marijuana was found.
They got my personal information from me, including social security number. They mentioned that I was obviously high because of the way I pulled my car over. By this time I was shaking uncontrollably from being in handcuffs. It was a uncontrollable fear of confinement. They took this as further "proof" of my guilt.
They told me Id recieve a letter in the mail which I did a month later. It said I was guilty of possession of "marijuana/Hashish" and "ignoring traffic signals" It said a probation officer would contact me. However none did. I finally called a month later and scheduled an appointment for a meeting with him.
I dont have the money for a lawyer and neither does my father. My father doesnt have the best oppinion of me either and would just as likely swear against me as for me in the court of law.
Should I accept the probation officers offer, pay 100 dollar fine do some community service and go on probation to avoid the hassle of a court and the court costs that go along with it?
And if I plead not guilty and attempt to get free legal aid, where should i make my stand?
The possession?
The possibly illegal search and seizure?
THe lack of a citation or anything of that nature?
Thanks in advance and hope you guys can help.

