i dont understand.... please help, i think i have a problem :/ Options

[bslik]

ok so on this past friday night, me and my friend were driving and got lost in a strange neighborhood thinking i could cut through to the next major road. when i hit a dead end, i was in the parking lot of some club house or community center so i parked up and turned off the car while i called my friend that lives around there. the next thing i know, a sherrif dept vehicle is shining the spot light in my eyes and telling me to keep my hands where he can see em.

so he tells me and my friend to get out of the car, checks us for drugs and weapons then without asking he checks my car.
me knowing that i dont have any drugs or weapons, i didnt try to stop him. he said we were suspiciously in a neighborhood that has been having many burgularies so he had to check us. so he goes though my car and doesnt find anything... then he goes back after a minute and looks in my car again and pulls out my knife that i had been using at work for cutting, stripping and splicing wires (installing lights and eletrical devices). AND APPARENTLY, THATS A CONCEALED WEAPON!

so im thinking, "ok hes gonna take me down to the precinct and issue my arrest and whatever how that works"

but no, he writes me a ticket for it. not a ticket that i have to pay, a ticket for me to appear in court!

ok so the question is, does anyone know whats the reason i have to go to court for this? why cant i just pay or do community service or something? and also should i contact a lawyer?

im so lost.

[Hanyo]

i know in California it is illegal to carry a fix blade knife in your car that is a certain size ( i dont remember off the top of my head, like 5 inchs or more).

Yes, never let them search your car, once you give them the OK you forfeit your rights, like your rights to remain silent.