If a petty theft is dismissed or reduced to an infraction.

A theft case is a crime of moral turpitude and can possibly play a role in your future plans. Get an attorney and try to get this reduced as much as possible.

Petty theft is a crime of moral turpitude and is likely to affect many opportunities when a license is involved. You could benefit from meeting with your attorney to discuss further. The consultation with him or her could help you to understand the issues and your options. I wish you the best.

How exactly are you trying to dismiss the case? Have you filed a petition for dismissal per PC1203.4? Theft cases have a very negative impact on many future career goals.

Because you were originally charged with a misdemeanor, it has a high likelihood of being found. Whether or not not impacts your future depends on what you plan on doing and whether you need a license. It also matters where you work and what sort of background you undergo. If you're applying for a license if some sort, odds are you have to disclose this case. If younger it dismissed, for *most* private employers you would not have to disclose it. I can only hope you have a lawyer. Talk to them about this.

If you were booked then you will have a record of the arrest even if the case is dismissed. If dismissed, it is likely the record will reflect that the case is dismissed. A record sometimes, but not always, reflects a conviction for an infraction. Keep in mind that the internet sometimes has more information about a case than the record maintained by DOJ. Your question about work is very broad. The answer can really depend on the industry and the outcome of the case. You can probably get a more precise answer if you mention an industry that you are looking at.

Private employers generally can't use a criminal case against you if you were not convicted. Unfortunately, not everyone plays by the rules. A private employer might located a dismissed case during a background check and take it into account, anyway. If the "industry" is law enforcement, they will certainly see the arrest on your criminal history ("rap sheet") during the background process. The only way to truly eradicate this incident is to get a factual finding of innocence, which would result in destruction of all of the records.

Dismissing a case by way of an "expungement" does not erase the conviction. After the conviction, it will be almost impossible to reduce the petty theft to an infraction. If the dismissal is not granted or you are unable to reduce to an infraction, the petty theft will remain on your record and could be seen as a crime that reflects your moral character.

Sounds like you have an active case. Petty theft charges can be extremely detrimental to future career goals. For that reason, I really recommend that you consider hiring private counsel if there is anyway you can do that. With that said, if you don't have any prior criminal history in Riverside County you can do diversion and do a one day theft class (cost of $275) and have the case dismissed. That is better for you than an infraction. Your attorney, if you hire one, can even handle everything at the court without your presence. If you are not eligible for diversion then your attorney can try to negotiate the case for you. Depending on your circumstances there are ways that they can try to limit the damages. Use the Find a Lawyer tab on this site to talk to a few attorneys in Riverside County before deciding whether you want to move forward representing yourself or having the Public Defender represent your interests if you qualify.

If it is dismissed, it will still show up on an employer background check but it will show "dismissed" - which you can then explain any way you want (i.e., it was a mistake, wrong guy, etc.) and an employer shouldn't hold it against you. However, if you plead to an infraction (theft-related) it can still potentially affect your career goals. Because it is still a theft crime, many licensing boards, etc will see it an potentially prevent your forward progress. If you haven't already hired an attorney, now would be a good time! You can use to find one in your area.