Criminal record

[terraflop]

A year ago i was charged with abh for an altercation with another male, and sentenced to 100hrs community service. Although I feel that I was slightly scape-goated, this was a punishment I did without complaint and finished as quickly as possible. My main concern is having a criminal record, I am a recent graduate from a redbrick university (2:1 masters), and would be looking to get a competitive graduate job. My experience for most medium sized companies recruiting graduates is that they surprisingly do not ask if you have a criminal record. My real concern is that in the future this will come back to haunt me, I definitely will not be reoffending and am of previous good character. I know that a sentence become spent after 5 years, is there any way that this time can be reduced? Also is there any way that in the distant future you can completely clear a record i.e. for an enhanced CRB check for some managerial positions? Any feedback from anyone with some genuine knowledge on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

[terraflop]

Thank you for you're response and support EDDIE51. My logic was that if the existence of a criminal record is to indicate individuals who may be at an increased likelihood to commit a crime than the average man, from their past record, that if over time you could show that you were not more likely to commit a crime it could be deemed that you do not need to be flagged anymore. Obviously flawed logic. As you say i am hopeful that this one incident will not hold me back.

[hc4361]

They grade masters degree in the first class and second class system these days? Well, I never.

[terraflop]

hc4361 I have an undergraduate 2:1 and graduate masters, tricky stuff to understand i would imagine, you're probably a massive deal so i'm surprised you have time to comment on here

[Buenchico]

1. The 'rehabilitation period' for an offence is defined by law. It can't be reduced.

2. CRB checks are only currently available to employers only when the work involves contact with vulnerable people (or to information about them) or in certain other areas (such as work with the police or security services). Most employers can't insist upon a CRB check.

3. Since your conviction would show up on ANY CRB check, there's no particular reason to worry about an enhanced check. (Enhanced checks show exactly the same information as standard checks, plus any additional information that a senior police officer, or other relevant professional, deems relevant. So, in your circumstances, there would be no difference between what might appear on a standard check or an enhanced one).

4. With very few exceptions (such as the ban on people with convictions for sexual offences against children working in schools) there are no automatic bans on people with criminal convictions working in any particular type of employment. Over a third of British males acquire a criminal record before their 30th birthday, so employers will often disregard irrelevant convictions.

Chris

[terraflop]

Thank you for your feedback Chris, a number of reassuring facts, as EDDIE51 says I guess people are allowed to make one mistake. Initially i found that statistic (if accurate) quite surprising, and then I thought about it and yes I think with motoring offences this is entirely possible, although slightly saddening,