do I have a criminal record?

[trebor]

As a juvenile I got into a bit of bother with the police I now need to know what if anything is on my criminal record (assuming I have one at all, it was a long time ago.) I need to declare any cautions or convictions for a job application, but I can't remember what I was charged with and what I was given a good hiding for by the police man that caught me. Is there any way to find out?

[dilligaf1701]

How long ago?

Couldn't you go and ask the police?

[TheBlueRaja]

Your criminal record is wiped at sixteen IIRC...

[Rob]

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
1974
A key question to ask is whether the conviction
is ‘spentâ⠂¬â„¢ or forgotten under the Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974. Unless your vacancy is
exempt from the Act (see standard and
enhanced disclosures below), the applicant is
not legally obliged to disclose their conviction if
it is spent.
Most convictions become spent after five
years, or two-and-a-half years if the person
was a juvenile (ie under 18) at the time of
conviction. For instance, fines, compensation,
probation, community service and
combination orders take five years, or
two-and-a-half years for juvenile convictions.

lifted from: http://www.nacro.org.uk/data/resourc...2005020104.pdf

[Escapee]

I think you would have to make sure the record is wiped clean, I understand that this should happen and evidence such as figerprints should be destroyed but it often doesn't happen.

I know a guy in his 30's who applied for a shotgun licence, and he was turned down because of his criminal record. He had been caught fishing without a licence in his teens.

[Rob]

Ah the conviction occurred, therefore it will always exist. You just don't have to declare it in most circumstances.

[Escapee]

I always tell the truth, it has caused a great deal of laughter when questioned in an interview "Do you have a criminal record" when I tell them how I got a record for criminal damage they usually have a good laugh about it.

Its best to be honest, it could be much worse if they find out from another source at a later date.

[Stuart]

I don't know if this is true, but when I applied for a job at the Defence Research Agency (which I didn't get, sadly), I was told that because my job would be covered by the official secrets act, the MOD would be checking ALL (including expired) offences on both my record and those of my immediate family (including grandparents).

Not sure if they can actually do this though.

[punky]

You can go into your local police station and ask them for a record of what they have on you. It costs you some money, like £15, and you fill out a form. Go in and ask, they'll know what you need.

It takes ages because they have to run it through all the police forces in the country and against all your aliases (if any) and previous addresses.

[Rob]

A quick google suggested there are a number of online agencies that claim to be able to check criminal records, amongst others. I'm not going to give any links as I don't know if they are bonafide or not.

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

I don't know if this is true, but when I applied for a job at the Defence Research Agency (which I didn't get, sadly), I was told that because my job would be covered by the official secrets act, the MOD would be checking ALL (including expired) offences on both my record and those of my immediate family (including grandparents).

Not sure if they can actually do this though.

Yes they do, but not for the official secrecy act as such. The official secrecy act is a document you sign saying you are happy to be hanged in the tower of London if you are guilty

All offences and family details are checked for a basis security check and SC level clearance. They went into my complete family history and it took a few months to get clearance. (Thats why they compete a basic first) The next level of clearance I had entailed going through the whole lot again, and this happens every time I have to get a special clearance for a specific project, and even the name of these clearances are classified and not to be repeated.

The next level of clearance involves a visit to your home from a representative of the MOD.

I had no problem because I stated details of my criminal record on the forms, I was questioned about it and told it was OK because I told them. If I had left it off, they would of probably refused my clearance.

[makikomi]

I'd have thought that you could obtain this under the Freedom Of Information Act and/or the Data Protection Act.

I did have a criminal record...

It was "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by Tight Fit.

[Damien]

Originally Posted by makikomi

I'd have thought that you could obtain this under the Freedom Of Information Act and/or the Data Protection Act.

I did have a criminal record...

It was "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by Tight Fit.

That reminds me of the Only fools joke where Rodney is said to have a police record in front of a policewomen girlfriend. Del covers it by saying "yeah, walking on the moon"

[trebor]

Thanks for all the answers, having had a quick google it looks like the local police station is the best first bet, after all if anybody should know I would hope it was them.
but if anybody else has a definitive answer please post it.

[greencreeper]

Bit late here but...

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act states that after a period of time, convictions become spent. Some convictions don't become spent, and the period of time varies depending on the sentence. All job applications that request details of convictions should mention this - i.e. "please list all convictions other than those that are spent under the ROA". Some jobs, such as those that involve working with children or for the MOD, are exempt from the Act and you must declare all convictions. The job application should state this and explain why the job is exempt. If a job application does not state anything (e.g. "Please list all convictions"), you're entitled to assume that it only means unspent convictions.

Much of what I said above echos MG... Rob C's post, but the key points are that (a) the employer should write the application form clearly and correctly when it comes to requesting details of convictions, and most don't; and (b) you're entitled to assume in your favour if the form is not clear.

[edit] Oh and eventually I think you won't see the section about convictions on application forms - you'll have a separate form that will authorise the employer to request a basic (only unspent convictions) or detailed (both unspent and spent) report on convictions from the CRB.

http://www.crb.gov.uk/