First off, I'm a 27yr old Male that hasn't had as much as a speeding ticket in the last 6 years. I stupidly made the mistake of hitting a city light pole outside of a gas station one night and listened to my friend telling me to leave the scene. So I parked my car in a close by parking lot and let him drive me home. I ended up getting home and as the shock of the situation lessens I realize that I needed to go get my car and call it in. As I get to my car at around 3am cops show up, b/c they were watching my vehicle. Anyway, I got charged for Fail to report Accident to Fixtures and Careless Driving-Accident. Not really knowing how to read my ticket that clearly and not thinking that I had a mandatory court date, I just mailed in my fine for the ticket and proceed about my business. Two days after the (missed) court date I find out through my roommates that the cops were looking for me, so the next day I go in and I was booked for Failure to Appear. I payed my $500 bail and never saw the inside of a cell. My questions are:
 What are the usual penalties that go along with this?
 What should I expect in my first court case?
 Should I get a public defender?
Sorry this is my first run-in with the law and I want this over and done with as soon as possible. Thank you.
user
I hit a city pole payed my fine, but didn't go to my court date, turned myself in and got
assistant
First off, I'm a 27yr old Male that hasn't had as much as a speeding ticket in the last 6 years. I stupidly made the mistake of hitting a city light pole outside of a gas station one night and listened to my friend telling me to leave the scene. So I parked my car in a close by parking lot and let him drive me home. I ended up getting home and as the shock of the situation lessens I realize that I needed to go get my car and call it in. As I get to my car at around 3am cops show up, b/c they were watching my vehicle. Anyway, I got charged for Fail to report Accident to Fixtures and Careless Driving-Accident. Not really knowing how to read my ticket that clearly and not thinking that I had a mandatory court date, I just mailed in my fine for the ticket and proceed about my business. Two days after the (missed) court date I find out through my roommates that the cops were looking for me, so the next day I go in and I was booked for Failure to Appear. I payed my $500 bail and never saw the inside of a cell. My questions are:
 What are the usual penalties that go along with this?
 What should I expect in my first court case?
 Should I get a public defender?
Sorry this is my first run-in with the law and I want this over and done with as soon as possible. Thank you.
user
Hit a city light pole, didn't report the accident, got charged for failing to appear in court.
assistant