Criminal Records & Police Caution Questions and Answers

Articles on the law and procedure related to the retention and disclosure of police data, criminal records, including police cautions and arrests. Covering topics such as how long records can be retained, when they can be disclosed, what information the police can gather and retain, how police records can impact employment, travel and other areas, and how and when police records and data can be deleted.

16 02, 2017

A Guide to ACRO Record Deletion Process from National Police Systems

By |February 16th, 2017|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Did you know that it’s possible to apply for the deletion of police records from the Police National Computer (PNC), National Fingerprint Database (IDENT1) and the National DNA Database (NDNAD)? The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) calls this process the “Record Deletion Process.” Locally held records, such as custody records and custody photos, are

14 02, 2017

Police Cautions

By |February 14th, 2017|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

A police caution is an out of court disposal aimed at achieving cheap and rapid justice. A police caution can only be issued if the suspect accepts the caution and admits the allegation. Admission to a Police Caution If a suspect does not admit the allegation then a police caution cannot be issued. An

1 02, 2017

Is a police caution a criminal record?

By |February 1st, 2017|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Is a police caution a criminal record? The short answer to this question is yes - a caution is a criminal record. However what actually constitutes a "criminal record" is not a precisely defined concept, and the better question to ask is, in what circumstances will my caution be disclosed? A caution will become

31 01, 2017

How long does a police caution stay on your record?

By |January 31st, 2017|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

The answer to the question "How long does a police caution stay on your record?" depends on who is asking the question. The answer will be different depending on the level of disclosure that can be lawfully requested by the organisation who is asking the question. On a basic disclosure a caution (youth and

30 01, 2017

Is a Caution a Criminal Conviction?

By |January 30th, 2017|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

If you have been offered or received a caution, you may wonder what the precise consequences of accepting a police caution (a simple police caution) are. Is a Caution a Criminal Conviction? A frequently asked question is whether a police caution is a criminal conviction. The short answer is no; a caution is not

27 11, 2016

Challenging a Police Caution

By |November 27th, 2016|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

You may be wondering whether it is possible to get a caution, including a conditional caution or youth caution, removed, or perhaps simply you have an arrest record that you would like expunged (deleted). It could be that your caution, or arrest record, is showing up on your standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring

28 11, 2015

Can I get a Police Caution Removed?

By |November 28th, 2015|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

If you are wondering "Can I get a police caution removed?" then the simple answer is yes you can. A police caution can be removed from your record so that your CRB/DBS criminal records check is cleared. If your police caution is removed you can say, when asked, that you have never received a

28 11, 2015

How Long Does a Police Caution Last?

By |November 28th, 2015|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

If you have received a caution, you may be wondering how long a police caution lasts. In most cases an adult police caution will be disclosable on a standard and enhanced DBS (CRB) certificate check for 6 years. How long does a police caution last? If however you have received a police caution for

28 11, 2015

Verballing and off the record comments by police

By |November 28th, 2015|Tags: |

When you are interviewed at the police station this should always be tape and or video recorded. Recording of interviews was introduced to protect against unfair and  coercive interviews. Police Station Lawyers Recording of interviews has not however wholly removed the problem of coercion or unfair tactics by police officers during detention at the