In 2006 I got in trouble for shoplifting. I was told that nothing would be put on my record if I paid everything back in full. I have since then paid everything back. (this was not a felony but a misdemeanor.) I went to the police department for a background check and nothing came up. But when I went to join the military they saw that I got in trouble for shoplifting in 2006. How can I get this off my record and why is it there if I was told that I would not have anything on my record?

What or which "record" is it on, have you since ran a police record check again ? But if the police were not called, and you did not either plead, pay a fine or appear before a judge, there is no criminal record officially.

There are 1000's, well at least 100's of independent background search companies, they keep records of many things from interent material, to any and all records they buy or get hold of. This can include private info, and civil cases. They are not under the same level of legal requirements as the official police record.

So you will have to tell us where they got the info, for us to give better advice