I was arrested for shoplifting over 10 years ago... does anyone know how long this stays on record (calif)? I'm trying to find employment but worried this may still be haunting me.

If you were just arrested and not convicted, then it shouldn't show up at all on an employment check.

I was arrested and convicted, and worked off my sentence. It was something dumb I did a long time ago. Does this stay on my record forever? I'm trying to get a job, but this past skeleton I'm hoping will just go away. I'm also wondering about the entire employment/background check, credit and dmv... I have had some difficult financial problems, and a dui from 2 years ago. My husband and I were celebrating our 10 yr anniversary, and I got the dui.

Just some bad choices I've made, and some financial problems on my credit report now. I'm finding it really tough to be able to get ahead in life because of a few poor decisions I have made in the past. Will an employer look beyond these things?

You can petition the court that convicted you to have your record expunged. You should hire a lawyer to do this for you. They can advise what chance you have of getting that done.