If you are convicted of a criminal offence, in most cases that offence will be recorded on your criminal record. Your criminal record will be available to anyone who does a criminal check on you (although they must get your permission to do that) or to a Court if you are ever convicted of another offence in the future.
Contrary to popular perception, every person who has been convicted of an offence has in effect two criminal records. One which is permanent (that is, once a conviction is recorded it is never deleted) and another which is non permanent (that is, most convictions are deleted after a period of time). Contact us on (02) 9521 2222 if you have a criminal law question. You can also send your enquiry online now and we will contact you shortly.
The permanent record is available only to a Court or to employers conducting checks on candidates for the following occupations:
Judge;
Magistrate;
Justice of the peace;
Police officer;
Prison officer;
Teacher;
Teachers aide; or
Child related employment.
The non-permanent record is the one given to any one else who requests your criminal record.
The length of time that convictions stay on your non-permanent record is shown below:
|
Type of conviction
|
Length of time after which conviction
is deleted from record
|
Where a penalty of more than six (6) month is goal is imposed.
Child sex offences.
Offences committed by bodies corporate (companies). |
|
Permanent. |
| |
| Convictions where the penalty was a good behaviour bond. |
|
After the end of a good behaviour period. |
| |
| Convictions by the Children’s Court |
|
Three (3) years “crime free” period. |
| |
| All other offences. |
|
Ten (10) years “crime free period”. |