I got a ticket and could use some help
I received a "fix-it" ticket for having an expired registration and my court date is coming up. I was only driving my kids to school because they missed the bus. I told the officer that my (p.o.s) fiance was working on getting the money to pay the registration. The officer asked if I had any paperwork from the dmv to show that. I said no but just said my fiance is struggling to get work and we're financially struggling. He gave me a ticket that I could get written off by a cop or police station after I get the registration fixed. The registration still isn't fixed and we have lost car insurance also. I'm panicking and don't want to go to jail. My daughters have autism and are 8 years old. They struggle to wake up in the morning and throw fits a lot so we were having a rough morning and that's why they missed the bus. I didn't tell the officer that but just accepted the ticket and went home to cry.
How do I prepare for court? Should I ask for a new court date? I have anxiety and feel like I will cry in court. I've never been there for myself and I'm so scared that I'm going to get a huge fine or be thrown in jail. My kids rely on me 100% and I'm scared that their own dad won't take care of them at the level he needs to and I'm scared he'll try to use this situation against me if we decide to separate. Any advice would be helpful please because I'm just spiraling now :c