Help with charges/court anyone know law and stuff of that sort?

the other day i commited a stupid crime and have been thinking alot about it..i was at a gas station and got gas and took off with out paying..later on i ped by the station and saw cops there and knew it was for me so i sped up a bit and turned..i didnt see them butapparently they were following me with lights..i was going downhill and didnt see them. i clipped a car also at the bottom..they got me at gun point and took me into custody then released me 9 hours later..i got charged with..speeding, reckless driving, hit and run, failure to stop at red light, seatbelt, alluding polce and th eft, last 2 are the only ones that are on the court date paper work and the rest are on tickets..this is my first charge ever and i h ave a clean record..im going to see a public defendor and telling them i panicked and sped up..does anyone know about this kind of stuff and can help me? with anything..what to say, do..whatever, im affraid of getting locked up.