I was given a ticket 18 years ago for prostitution and the courts dismissed the case and I thought it did not now it was on permanent record. How can I get this off my record? I am looking for employment and am afraid this will show up. I am beyond embarrassed about it and need to know how on earth to get a dismissed charge like this off my record. I was told expungement does not work for my case. I live in ca please tell me how to make this charge go away for ever.

It will always be visible to certain background checks, primarily the Government.

A dismissed ticket (if it was a true dismissal) is not that hard to explain. You were arrested in error, the DA realized the mistake, the charges were dropped.

If it's something else it needs more of an explanation.

Employment checks USUALLY ask about convictions, not arrests (although I have seen them ask about arrests when bonding is required).

Tell the truth - no convictions.