Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

You can appeal the decision.

Tacking on to what Mr. Marman says, an appeal is tried de novo. That means that the appellate judge will not consider your failure to appear in the lower court or what that judge decided, and you can present your evidence at the new trial. You can even bring a lawyer with you, if you think that'll help. If you win, you might even collect some attorney's fees if you ask for them.