
Quoting
cdwjava
To clarify, an infraction IS a criminal offense in CA. However, it is one that is generally not listed on a state criminal offender record as you are not generally printed for infractions. However, if you have already been boooked (photos and prints), and the charge is pled down to an infraction per PC 490.1 (shoplifting of under $50), then you can answer the conviction question truthfully but you will still have a criminal record.
However, in CA state criminal offender records (aka CORI files) are NOT accessable by the public and cannot generally be used for employment purposes.
- Carl