if i answer yes to the criminal record visa question will i be automatically denied?

my husband was convicted of minor vandalism charge because he damaged a pay phone when he was 19. If he answers yes to the criminal record question will he be denied automatically? should he 'forget' about the record? can they find out if we lie? trip is paid for and i don't want to be denied. i don't want to lie and get into trouble either….what to do?