Have to go to trial

I live in Rhode Island and recieved a ticket for failing to stop for a school bus. I pulled out of an exit into the lane beside the bus and it has only its brake lights on due to there being a red light light 3 cars ahead. Sometime between me driving beside it and going 1 car ahead to the red light it put out its stop sign. The only reason I know the driver put out the sign is because he started beeping and pointing at my car (there was a cop car in the parking lot I exited). I was given no fine just a ticket to go to court. When in court I pleaded guilty with a reason. I didn't even finish the first sentence of my reason when the judge interrupted me and said that I shouldn't be pleading guilty I should be going to trial since this is such a serious offense. I am now going to trial. Am I supposssed to get a lawyer? I am not elegible for a public attorney and can't afford a lawyer. Should I get one anyway? The officer was beyond rude and did everything he could to try to make me talk back to him - I'm not looking forward to having to defend myself against him.



[Edited by zericka on 06-06-2001 at 12:43 PM]