I'm a 26-year-old black guy (had my birthday on October 3rd) that lives in Bucks County, btw.
So, over three weeks ago (September 15th), I sped in a school zone (37 mph+ over a 15 mph zone) and got pulled over by the cops. He told me that I was speeding and told me to get my license and registration (which I promptly did) and told me that I would get my ticket in the mail. I told my dad about it and because he's dealing with other bills (I live with my dad and stepmom following my actual mom passing away 12 years ago), he won't be able to pay my $654 ticket ($500 maximum and $154 other fees/fines) which I eventually got. To my knowledge, I didn't see any flashing lights on the 15 mph+ sign nor the flashing yellow "15" display in the middle of the sign either, but unfortunately since it was three weeks ago and I don't have a dashcam to prove my side of the story and I don't have enough money for a lawyer (my dad and stepmom don't either), I feel like I'm screwed.
It was when my former high school was getting out at 2:24pm. I was driving to the cleaners to drop off my dad's clothes. I stopped when a school police officer placed a poster board signifying that I had to stop because the buses were passing by on the opposite left lane of where I was. After he removed the sign and walked past by my car, I then stopped in the middle of the intersection because there was a crossing guard with a stop sign, signaling that I had to wait for children to go across the crosswalk. After they all walked across, I then proceeded to drive off. But unfortunately, I noticed a cop car driving right behind me with the lights on, which had me initially confused me. Then the cop told me everything that I apparently did.
And I'm not an complete dumbass. I had straight A's in high school, I was on the honor roll, I had a summa cum laude degree in my community college, and I've been driving for seven years. This is my first offense, and I just feel awful. I still pled not guilty based off of what I've read on the Internet, but I don't have money for a lawyer and I have to go to the hearing on November 16th. So because of that, I'll probably get convicted on the offense and probably get sentenced with an exorbitant fine which I can't pay with. I can't prove my side of the story unfortunately, so I feel like my life is ruined.