A Clean Slate At 18 For Non Violent Offences What Do You Think?

[gordiescotland1]

Im not entirely sure about this
http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/jun/19/children-criminal-past-clean-slate-18-say-mps

[ludwig]

I think it's a good idea. The fact that you were cautioned for stealing a packet of sweets when you were ten shouldn't affect your ability to get a job for the rest of your days.

[Hopkirk]

It'll be another reason why teenage yobs don't care what they do.

A bad idea.

[Gromit]

I am not sure on this. Ludwigs example we can probably all agree that it should not matter.

But what about a 15 year old who has mugged someone with violence and taken their property?

Are they going to be a different person a couple of years later? Would I want to employ that person? I don't think so.

I would be in favour of petty crimes being expunged, but not everything. Also crimes committed say within 3 years of the 18 limit should not be expunged either. Older crimes yes, but not recent ones.

[hc4361]

As it is for 'minor, non-violent crime' I think it can only be a good thing.

[kvalidir]

A good idea, I'd like to see it coupled with something to drive home the importance of the fact that this is their one and only chance at having a clean slate and that any more convictions would be the end of their work prospects.

[ludwig]

// But what about a 15 year old who has mugged someone with violence and taken their property? //

Minor non-violent crime is specified.

[Hopkirk]

It will be just agreen light to some to go robbing, they will just laugh at the authorities saying it'll be wiped soon anyway.

[ludwig]

It also says there would need to be a period of non-criminal activity - ie an indication that the perpetrator had changed their ways.

[sandyRoe]

Would young thieves consider the consequences?

[kvalidir]

So would you prefer that someone who has stolen some sweets and got a police caution can never get a job Hopkirk? They are talking about minor crime here and not mugging pensioners.

[Canary42]

More succour for the bad: Nothing for the good victims.

[ludwig]

// It will be just agreen light to some to go robbing, //

The kind of people that go robbing don't need a green light before they do it - they'll just do it anyway. This isn't going to turn anyone into a criminal that hasn't got a propensity to do it anyway.

Plus the fact there's sod all deterrent to these people as it is - they just get a slap on the wrist and are let out to carry on - They're already laughing at the authorities, so there'll be no change there.

This is about the kid who made a stupid mistake but has matured and changed their ways. They need to be given a chance to lead a normal productive life without being coloured as a criminal for ever after.

[RATTER15]

I think its a good idea but I think those that benefit should be at the discretion of the courts and/or counsellors.

When I apply for jobs, my CRB comes up with criminal offences I committed as a teenager, I have not committed any offences since and I am now 56.

[youngmafbog]

Not sure on this, depends on where the line is drawn and what 'wipe the slate clean' means.

For instance, what about non violent sexual offences ?

[RATTER15]

I think it should remain on their criminal record but not available on CRBs, even ex- baddies need a chance to move on.

[ludwig]

Sexual offences aren't included ymb - ie a sexual offence would cancel the possibility of a clean slate.

[Hopkirk]

The message the young will hear is 'you can do what you like until you are 18, you only have to be good from then'

[RATTER15]

No Hopkirk, the young dont think that far ahead, also they will still feel the full weight of the law. These proposals are not suggesting any leniency from what I see. The problem is, if these youngsters see no prospect of getting a job due to their CRB will they ever see the chance of staying on the straight and narrow.

[zebo]

Needs to be some time element, if it's, say, 4 years since a person committed a minor crime, then it would be fair to wipe it. If however s/he is still being an anti-social idiot, then society has a right to know.

[ladybirder]

If they had only committed one offence and that had been at least 18 months ago, then yes I agree.