Legal Question in Employment Law in California

You should speak with an attorney. An attorney can determine whether all the elements needed for a conviction have been met. If you qualify, you can speak with a public defender. Is you boss willing to pay for defense? Where you properly trained?

Your question is in labor law, but I think this should be in criminal law.

Don't forget, that any conviction will be on your record. You will have to check the "convicted" box on job applications. You will have to explain. Maybe for the rest of your life unless you get an expungement. I haven't done the research do I do not know if an expungement will be available.

I might be a good deal depending on the circumstances. It would be even better if you could get something like a "Deferred Entry of Judgment." With a deferred entry, the conviction isn't put on your record if you do everything you are supposed to do. I do not know if a DEJ is available in these kinds of cases; a criminal law attorney should be able to give you enough information to intelligently weigh your options.

You also have to consider what will happen if you fight and lose.

This is your life; not your bosses. Make sure you understand everything.