Can I modify my probation?

I have been on probation for 1/3 years for a misdemeanor and it has been very difficult for me to get a job. Even jobs that I qualify and pass all tests for, will not give me a chance, due to the fact that my crime was for petty theft. I took some food from a grocery store worth $25.00 and they gave me 3 years probation and a $310.00 fine, now it's like my resume and the experience I have is invisible and the only thing they care about is my record. I had never been in court before and didn't really understand the importance of the public defender, so I just told them the truth and plead guilty. I didn't get jail time, but at least with that I know I'd have a roof over my head everyday, which having to pay this rent every month with no job is quite the opposite, not to mention 3 meals a day and what not. Someone said that even though I don't have a P.O and I had no public defender, I can go to the public defenders office and refer to Code 20776 for help with modifying probation..true?

Thanks Biogeek, but I wasn't asking for your opinion on what YOU feel is justified or not, read the question. Obviously you're not a geek at all, you don't pay attention to detail. I think I stated that I deserved SOME punishment, but not 3 years. I know people who have done WAY worst things and got less. You really don't know me like that.

no, but a judge may

The quit answer to your question is YES! They can modify the status of your probation however itis important that you remembe that it goes both ways. Maybe the judge rule your way but he or she may as well rule agains you and give you a sentence much more harder then the one you already have.

My one and only advice to you is that if you are going back to court, do it with a some what good lawyer. A public defender is not going to help much in your case.

This doesn't pertain to your question but, I too was on Probation and was taught how to fill out an application without being rejected before I even get an interview.
In the section where it asks for you criminal history fill it in as follows. "Will explain at time of interview." Because if an employer sees criminal history most will reject it an circular file your application. Then when you are given an interview be remorseful, explain what happen while taking full responsibility for what you did.
I hope this of some sort of help. Good Luck and God Speed

Would you feel any differently if you were the one deciding whether or not to hire someone into your company that has a history of stealing? What you fail to understand is that 25.00 worth of stuff you stole, had you gotten away with it, comes out of the pocket of not just the people that get up and go to work at that company everyday, but the cost of that lost is spread to all of us in the form of higher prices. The punishment, which might seem harsh to you, seems perfectly justified to me. You should be thankful you got no jail time. We have laws for a reason, and i'm quite sure you knew that when you decided to steal. Now YOU have put YOURSELF in a position where you will have to start over again, and work your way up. Maybe accept your punishment, wait for your probation to be over and try again.

YOU can't modify it, the judge can.
However, that won't change your criminal record.
On probation or not, you'll still have a criminal conviction.
You'll have to show good reason for modification of your probation to the judge.
Not just because you can't find a job.