I Was Arrested For A 6 Year Old Warrant I Did Not Know I Had For A “hit And Run”. My Employer Forgot To File An Accident Report.

Hey everyone.

I’ve come here for some guidance cuz I know nothing about what to do in my situation.

I just got off the phone with the court clerk and was told I don’t qualify for a public defender, so I am trying to figure this one out on my own if possible. So… First off, yeah I had a minor fender bender back in summer of 2018 while on the job working for the State Parks of Oregon. I filed a police report with the state police and all that jazz. My employer was supposed to file an accident report that later (5 years) I found out was never filed when I went to the DMV for a new drivers license and there was a suspension on my name. They handed me a form, and I got it filled out and turned it back in no problem after reaching out to risk and safety for the state parks. I got my license that day.

The R&S coordinator even told me over the phone half a year ago that it was supposed to be done on their part and she apologized. So I’d like to try and get that in writing from her, hoping that could help me.

Mind you, I have had like 5 federal background checks done since then and nothing has ever popped up before (I work a federal job). So I never knew about this warrant. Even my boss was very surprised.

I even bought a gun for my home and then applied for a CCW license and when I went to the sheriffs office for the license appointment, I was arrested after my appointment. Basically turned myself in lol. And I thought it was a joke at first ???? …stupid.

I went through the whole process and was put into a cell until I got bailed out 8 hours later.

I know this doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but I don’t want this on my record obviously. Being clean matters to me.

What can I do?

Is it a bad idea to try and represent myself? Someone told me I could send a note to the judge prior to try and explain the situation and maybe give them evidence beforehand (such as the accident report and the police report). But I’m not sure how that’s done exactly or if I really even can do that.

I also have a “Failure to Appear” on the warrant in which I never personally received the court notice nor did the lady I lived with.

I feel like I have a solid story I could tell myself, but the courtroom is a place that’s hard to navigate.

Any advice??? Thanks!