What do I do to keep a retail fraud charge off my record?

You need to consult with a lawyer because depending on your prior criminal record and age there may be ways to prevent you from ending up with a criminal record.

If there is a conviction and it is the only one on your record there is a possibility of having the conviction expunged if five years go by and you have no other convictions.

Hello and thanks for the email question. There are many options that may allow you to enter a plea of guilty to this charge and keep it off your record. However, I need far more facts than you have provided to me in your short email. I need to know your age, the amount alleged to have been taken from the retailer, whether you are charged with a felony or misdemeanor and the particular court you have been charged in.

Should you need additional information please call me Brian Dailey, www.daileylawyers.com 248 744 5005. You can also log on to my website www.thelawshow.com and listen to one of the many podcasts from my weekly radio show airing on newstalk760 wjr am the great voice of the great lakes every sunday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

We have handled many of these charges and have been quite successful at keeping these charges off our client's records.

Brian Dailey

Well, you can nothing until the case is finished with.  Then, depending on the outcome, you can attempt to have the matter "expunged" or erased from your record.  But it really all depends on the outcome.  Cases that are dismissed are easier to have expunged.  In cases where you are found guilty or plead to a lesser charge and have probation or a sentence, you will have to complete the sentence and then sometimes wait a certain period of time to apply for "expungement" if you permitted at all.

Your next step is to get a lawyer. You need to insure that you are going in the right direction for the outcome you ultimately want.  Good luck.