Click on the line that describes the sentence or other order given. It is assumed that since the sentence or order was imposed, you have not been convicted of any other offence.
Simple Caution, Youth Caution, Reparation, Absolute discharge
As soon as one of these is given they become spent. The full advantages of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act follow immediately.
Conditional discharge, Binding over order, Attendance centre order, Hospital order, Referral order
The rehabilitation period expires at the end of the period of the Order. The full advantages of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act follow immediately after this.
Conditional caution and youth conditional caution
For an adult at the time of conviction 3 months or when the caution ceases to have effect if earlier. For a youth at the time of conviction the period is 3 months. The full advantages of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act follow immediately after this.
Fine
For an Adult the rehabilitation period expires after 1 year. For a youth at the time of conviction the period expires after just 6 months. The full advantages of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act follow immediately after this.
Community order or youth rehabilitation order
The periods run from the end date of the sentence (including the licence period). For an Adult the rehabilitation period expires after 1 year. For a youth at the time of conviction the period expires after just 6 months. The full advantages of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act follow immediately after this.
Custodial sentence of 6 months or less
The periods run from the end date of the sentence (including the licence period). For an Adult the rehabilitation period expires after 2 years. For a youth at the time of conviction the period expires after 18 months. The full advantages of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act follow immediately after this.
Custodial sentence of over 6 months and up to and including 30 months (2 ½ years)
The periods run from the end date of the sentence (including the licence period). For an Adult the rehabilitation period expires after 4 years. For a youth at the time of conviction the period expires after 2 years. The full advantages of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act follow immediately after this.
Custodial sentence of over 30 months (2 ½ years) and up to and including 48 months (4 years)
The periods run from the end date of the sentence (including the licence period). For an Adult the rehabilitation period expires after 7 years. For a youth at the time of conviction the period expires after 3.5 years. The full advantages of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act follow immediately after this.
Custodial sentence of over 4 years, or a public protection sentence
For sentences of this length there is no period of rehabilitation. The convictions are never spent.
