Wow. Let me just start off by saying I am glad to be in a group of people who can relate, knowing I'm not the only one going through emotional stress from a horrible habit.
Here's my story:
Scheels. I used to steal from there all the time. I've probably stolen hundreds of dollars worth of jerseys, hats, shirts, and shorts. Well I get caught one day trying to take a $20 hat. Not only am I mad at myself for the person I've become (you know, one of those realizations where you go "god damnit, I'm stupid), it's one of those "god damnit, why couldn't I just be satisfied" notions. I was stopped trying leave the store walking out peacefully, manager was fairly nice about it, the problem is, I was the one who was being the dick. I acted very immature, I lied and lied and lied. Finally another manager who was a dick came in with a county cop and a mall security cop. I should have never bullshitted, like the cop asked, but I tried lying some more. Well I finally fessed up. Got cuffed... went through the store, people looking at my with spite. I wanted them to know I wasn't a bad person, but concerning the situation I was in, I wouldn't make much... any progress. LUCKILY the cop was nice enough to let me go home. Well at this point, I also realize I don't have a job. So I had no idea how I was going to pay the fine.
Well I got a job, Outback Steakhouse waiter, great food let me tell you. I went to the court date, had the DA look over the police report. I asked him if I could see a judge to possible get it lowered to a trespassing fine, or possibly dropped. I offered to pay the fine, do hundreds of hours of community service, etc. I told him that I had a great line-up of information coming up. Some statements would have been "I just got a job, I feel I am taking a step forward in my life. I'm willing to take a theft class. I admit I have a problem. I will gladly pay the fine, but I will do anything possible to someway or somehow get this off my record, or get less of a serious charge." Too bad the DA didn't do shit.He told me the town of Grand Chute, Wisconsin doesn't mess with these cases anymore because they get hundreds of shoplifters a week due to one of the biggest malls in Wisconsin. I never got a letter from Scheels though, so I let it go. I thought I got over it, but it keeps haunting me over and over.
So I have a scenario of different questions:
**Under the law in WI, when does your permanent record clear? I was caught at age 17.
**Does it completely clear like it never existed, or does it get sealed so various people can't look into it?
**If it can't get cleared by age 18, what can I do to either lower it or clear it?
**Say it's ten years from now, I'm 27, is it possible that an employer would turn me down even if I meet the required standards simply for shop-lifting? (the BIG question)

