Got a summons - how bad is this?

Today I went to fill up my car with gas and had to use a pump that was on the same side as my tank, so I pulled it around and set it. Soon after the employee started yelling at me - quite rudely. I went inside to get a coffee and he started in on me again saying the gas would spill. He was behind me and continued to yell profanity laced language at me at which point I stepped toward him and pushed him away. He fell into a candy rack and got up and called the police. They came and saw the tape on the security cameras and gave me a summons to appear in court for breach of peace (2nd degree)...misdemeanor.

What am likely facing here? If this goes on my record (which is completely clean) what are the consequences? Lawyers always say get a lawyer but I don't have a ton of money to throw around. Can someone tell me what I can expect (this is in CT) and if I really should get a lawyer or just show up...thanks. The police said it will likely just be a fine.

A criminal conviction, including a misdemeanor, will be on your record. You most likely will be able to expunge this but it could take years for you to become eligible for expungement.

You would be taking your chances without an attorney. Remember, that although the police only say that it will be a fine, these are the same individuals who gave you a summons.

What does it mean to expunge and how do you do that? Why would it take years? I ended up getting a lawyer who told me he would attempt to take this to mediation.

Expungement is when your record is wiped clean as if it never existed. It can take years depending on your sentence. If you are on probation for say 5 years you have to finish probation before you can start the expungement process.

Thank you. I guess I just have to wait and see what happens next week. I don't have anything at all on my record so I am praying for the best.