Pa Second Offense

So like many others I find myself losing sleep and kicking myself everyday over this. I'm gonna try and make this quick but well see..

I was caught a few months ago for an amount worth $10. My public defender applied me for the ARD program at the end of which the charge is expunged. So about a month or two ago I received a lettter stating my pre trial date is in september, if I am placed on ARD then I do not have to go. Checked the mail yesterday and I got a letter saying I was not admitted into ARD for "2 retail theft within 9 months/ open warrant" but that I could request reconsideration in writing to the district attorney. It also says the reasons must be set fourth and extraordinary.

What I'm asking is for a little guidance as to what I should do and what to expect. I was really counting on this getting expunged and staying out of trouble for the rest of my life. When I read that letter I got that familiar sinking feeling in my stomach as if I was about to throw up.

The first time I was arrested they just handed me a fine and sent me on my way. I wasn't told I had to go to court, given any papers, or anything. The public defender asked me about this when he was filling out my application. As for the open warrant I'm not sure what that has to do with anything. There was a warrant for my arrest for the unpaid fine from the first time (unpaid due to a misunderstanding between my father and I, useless I know), but I didn't find out until I was actually being arrested again and it was paid immediately on the spot.

What I was told by an officer is that I never showed up for court but this is impossible because I was never told to go to court and nothing was never sent to my house I keep a record of all my papers and I wasn't even given a notice of the warrant.

So asking again Im asking for advice as to what I should do from here. All I'm worried about is finding a way to get the charge expunged. The whole situation has been a serious blow to my morale. I've been seriously questioning lately whether continuing on for my physics degree is even worth it... or school for that matter If in the end I'm going to be rejected by every employer.

In the end its all my fault. I apologize for the length.

Personally, I don't think the D.A. would reconsider, but you could try. My attitude is that: If you write the letter, you have a 50/50 chance. If you don't, your chance is 0.

I wouldn't think it would go good though, for two reasons:
(1) Second offense in nine months.
(2) There was a warrant for the first fine not being paid.

He's also likely to think that College Student - should have been responsible enough to pay the first fine on time.