Can you strike a "theft under $5000" charge from your record?
Ok, so this just happened today. I made a stupid mistake. I am broke and needed a part in order to complete a job for work. I went into a store and put it in my pocket. When I left the store three staff members came running out and stopped me. When asked for the part I gave it back and they took me inside. One staff member then searched me for anything else I might have (I had nothing else). The police never came but the staff member said that a letter will come soon with my court date and a time to go down for a photo and fingerprints. This is my first time doing anything like this. I have never been charged with anything ever and just made a really bad choice. I am in my mid twenties and live in Manitoba, Canada. The part was worth $60. Is there any way to get out of this charge? Or, is there any way to have it stricken from my record after? Also, what does a record like this affect in my future? For example, I want to buy a house some day, will this affect getting mortgages? Oh, and can the store staff search you? I heard that they are legally not allowed. I just want to know what happens next and if there is any way to "fix" my mistake.
Thanks.