Hey! I was caught shoplifting when I was 16 years old, and now I am 21 and will be graduating from college next year. When I was caught I had a $25 item. I was never arrested, but the security people made me sign something confessing to the crime. I ended up paying around $250 to department store when the papers were mailed to me. I was so embarrassed, I never wanted to think about it again. This is the only time I have been in trouble (besides a speeding ticket a couple months ago.) I never went to court or anything for the shoplifting. Just paid the fine.

Now, I am so scared to even apply for a job, because I am afraid it's on my record even though it happened so long time ago. I had a good job, but that's because I knew the owners, but other than that I am afraid of the question : "have you been convicted for a crime/misdemeanor?" I don't even know how to answer it, because I don't know if it's on my record. I heard that misdemeanors are erased off your record after a period.

My questions are: What is the likelihood that it's on my record, or how can I find out? Am I doomed to find a job? -- I am graduating with a court reporting degree, and I hope it doesn't ruin my career. I live in NY by the way, and plan on moving to NC after college.

Please Help!

-Rita:)

Don't worry about it! You were only 16, and half the people who will be interviewing you will have done the same thing when they were kids.

By the way.. have you ever seen the "anti polygraph" website? Just in case!

You said you were never arrested? Did you get your finger prints taken, or did you have to appear in court?

If no to these questions, then I doubt that you have a criminal record and I do not think that you have anything to worry about. Especially if you were not arrested, you did not appear in court, you did not have your finger prints taken.

Hope this helps. So in this case, you would answer NO. This is a long time ago. It does not count.

Joe

I'm curious.. is it legal in the US to make a 16 year old sign something?

NO! It is not, that is under the age of consent, so must likely it is only at he store in their records, no police report no record. NO due process was afforded to him.

Wow.. RTV, I think the store robbed you of $250! :p

Yes, I think they did rob me haha. But I would rather pay the fine then deal with court and it being on my record.

So to make sure, when I apply for a job, I can answer "no" to the question, Have you ever been convicted of a crime? And it won't show up in my background check?

I wish I found this site 5 years ago... I wouldn't be stressing so much.
Thanks everyone!

Ok, no it is not on any background check,

The police background check only shows convictions from court, the public will not even see an arrest if there is no conviction.

And since you were a minor, it would be illegal for the store to give out personal info on you.

So breathe and calm down and don't show it on your applications, they ask if you were ever arrested or if you were ever convicted, they don't ask you if you ever broke the law.

Ok, no it is not on any background check,

The police background check only shows convictions from court, the public will not even see an arrest if there is no conviction.

And since you were a minor, it would be illegal for the store to give out personal info on you.

So breathe and calm down and don't show it on your applications, they ask if you were ever arrested or if you were ever convicted, they don't ask you if you ever broke the law.



This man is correct. Even if you have had your fingerprints taken, or had to make appearances in court to deal with your issue, your good as long as you were not convicted (found guilty) . :) and considering the fact that you were 16, there is no chance you have a criminal record.

Thanks so much! So much weight is lifted off my shoulders. This site is awesome, keep up the good work haha

So to make sure, when I apply for a job, I can answer "no" to the question, Have you ever been convicted of a crime? And it won't show up in my background check?


To be convicted of a crime you have to go before a judge. You either have to plead guilty or be found guilt after a trial by a judge or jury.

Since neither of those things happened, your record is clear.