My question involves criminal law for the state of: CA

I took out a payday loan back in 2008, but of course it got to expensive to pay but now today I get a call from a District Attorney saying I have until 3pm today to pay the restitution of a little over a grand. If not they will send out an arrest warrant. Can they do this? This of course was not intentional and even asked if they're was any way I can make payment on this judgement. Neat less to say I am pretty scared. What can I do?