I have read the previous posts about this, but I received mine over 11 years ago. It was felony shoplifting. I was blamed for letting merchandise go out the door at my job. I had a public defender. I paid $4000 in restitution (sp.). I was put on probation and I paid all of my fines. That was the first and last time I got in trouble. I think about it everyday. Since then, I've gotten a degree in Accounting and Business Administration. I'm so scared that I won't be able to teach. What can I do?

Did you plead guilt or were you convicted in a trial? If not its possible the conviction isn't in your record. You can go back to the court and ask to see your record.

If there is no conviction then a background check will not find anything. If there is you can try to get it expunged.

I plead guilty and had the first offenders

If you plead guilty then unless your sentencing deal included a dismissal or expungement, it will show up on your record. So you might look into getting it expunged.

But a youthful indiscretion from 11 years agog, should carry lot of weight.