My question involves criminal law for the state of: Michigan

I'm being arraigned on Thursday morning. I'm being charged with Retail Fraud 3. The incident in question caused me to lose my job. I'm worried that any kind of conviction will be there for future potential employers to see. It's hard enough getting a job as it is, but if they see that I have a criminal record, I may never be able to work again. I'm not really qualified for much and I'm not an entrepreneur, so I can't be my own boss. Is there anything I can do to get it so that employers won't see anything?

I've never done anything worse than a minor traffic violation before this. I did have to sign a statement stating that I did it, because they have me on film. It involved a single item, valued at about 35 cents, but done about 4 times a week for a year and a half. I didn't know at the time that what I was taking wasn't free, though I understand that isn't an excuse. Will a prosecutor or judge be lenient? If so, what can I expect in terms of a plea or dismissal?