Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

What you were told to do so many years ago. Go in and ask the court to appoint the public defender to represent you.

Unfortunately, you must deal with the current court proceedings, no matter how you feel about the errors or problems. You must turn yourself into the court, with or without an attorney, and try to negotiate a plea bargain on the warrant and �Failure to Appear� charges, and any outstanding charges. Doing so voluntarily will result in a better outcome than you being brought in cuffs to court after arrest on the warrant. That will happen if you come in contact with law enforcement or customs anywhere in the US. Effective plea-bargaining, using whatever legal defenses, facts and sympathies there may be, could possibly keep you out of jail/prison. Since this is a misdemeanor, the attorney can appear in court without the defendant being present, although I would recommend you be there. While this isn't a 'capital case', you certainly face potential jail and fines, so handle it right. Most people hire an attorney. If you're serious about getting legal help, feel free to contact me. If you can't afford private counsel, you can apply for the Public Defender when you turn yourself in.