The fact of the arrest is on the record regardless unless there is an expungement. Typically the OP will be presented with a propose contract involving community service, payment of fees, retail theft classes, and other such sanction. The OP will have the opportunity to decide if s/he wants to sign the contract and complete the requirements. If it is completed then the charges that have been filed will be dropped and there will be no conviction or criminal record. The arrest is still there, however. But it is paramount to a person's future not to have a crime of dishonesty on their criminal record.