USA - In some legal trouble

[TheMorphineMan]

This question may be off-topic, but I think it could fit here. Swim is currently facing 3 drug-related misdemeanors (among others; talk about a couple hellacious traffic stops, within 4 days of each other at that): drug paraphernalia (marijuana pipe), drug paraphernalia (used spoon), and DWI Drugs.

Swim has faced drug charges on several occasions and could always afford a lawyer at the time of the incident. Incidentally, swim's record is squeaky clean save for a few traffic violations and peace disturbances (peace disturbance = result of plea bargains). Because one of the cases (dirty spoon + DWI) is a bit more serious and jail time is not out of the question, swim chose to hire a good attorney for this one (gonna be rough...high on oxycontin with OC paraphernalia, admitted to everything...f--k), and this practiced attorney has informed swim that he can likely keep swim out of jail and get the incredible fines cut in half. Only one problem...hiring a more well-reputable lawyer for the major case leaves swim out to dry on the more minor (but still serious for my record) case, for the marijuana pipe.

Swim has just graduated school and has already begun his job search in the professional world. Swim has tried so hard to keep a clean record because he always knew he would one day be ready to get a real job. Swim has been informed that the DWI will likely not keep swim from getting a job, but swim knows for a fact that the paraphernalia charges are more evil in this respect. The dirty spoon charge is [hopefully!] taken care of, but as said before, there is no representation on the marijuana pipe.

My question is this: Has anyone in the professional world attempted to get a new job with a misdemeanor paraphernalia charge on their record, and what were the results? Also, is it worth it to accept a public defender rather than represent myself? I mean, if the public defender can't get the charge pled down (as far as I know, a likely scenario), what the hell is the point of having one? There is a tiny tiny tiny tiny possibility that swim would serve any jail time on this charge, so should swim just take the charge like a man and chance his job search?

PLEASE RESPOND URGENT!

Thanks,
TheMorphineMan