This is my first post. Appreciate any advice. Sixteen years ago when I was in my very early 20s I stole a bottle of perfume, value approx. $40 and while at the same store I commited refund fraud. I took a perfume set, value ? probably around $50 and returned it. I was caught and taken to jail where I was fingerprinted and let go with a promise to appear in court. I was young and scarred and never went. I knew I'd have a bench warrant but figured if I could stay out of trouble for 7 years, I'd be fine. Four years later I got a speeding ticket and was run and nothinng came up. Two years later same thing. Just to be sure though a few years later I asked my friend who is a police officer to run me and she told me no warrant. Recently, I applied for my CA Real estae license and apparently I have a warrant. I went to court a few days ago and spoke with the public defender, who wanted me to plead to a lesser charge. He said that the DA has a problem with the failure to appear, not so much the actual charge(s). Since I didn't want to take the chance of having the Dept. of Real estae deny me if I were to have any type of record, I figured I'd take my changes plead innocent and go to trial. My question is: If the ONLY thing they have against me is the written statement from the two LP agents and I challenge that, will I even have to make up some story as to why I'm not guilty? I was told by a friend who is an assisant DA in another state that I have the right to challenge the witnesses and if the witnesses can't be located I would win. I'm not sure what I should do. An entire new career is riding on this. I am a responsible citizen, I'm on the PTA, I'm a homeowner etc... I'm paying for this in the worst way... 16 years later. Pleeze help. I go to court on April 6th

