Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Erasing record

[JulissaVargas]

15 years ago, 1994 to be exact, My sister, who was a minor at the time, and myself (age 19) shoplifted at a Store( this store doesnt exist anymore) in Rhode Island. I only grabbed a $15 shirt, it was a stupid thing to do...however I have this on my record and when I applied for an apartment they always reject my application based on this info. Is there a way I could erase this from my record? this has been the only stupid thing I have done in my life and it was 15 years ago!! Please help

 

[NormanJr]

Contact a lawyer and see if you can petition the courts to expunge your record. I would think that a petty theft would not show up after 7 or more years even with a guilty plea.

Since the apartment complex pulled your record, you have a right to access it from the company which did the work for them. I would get a copy of the report and contact that company as well. 15 years for a petty larceny seems a bit extreme.

Are you positive it was for the theft in 1994? You haven't been in any trouble since then which could have an adverse action on your housing status?