Spent and unspent convictions
What a spent conviction is
A conviction becomes spent after a specific period of time has passed since the date of the conviction.
This period of time is known as a disclosure period. Once the disclosure period for a conviction has passed and it becomes spent, it is not shown on a basic disclosure.
However, on higher level disclosures there are some spent convictions that will be disclosed.
Find out more about spent convictions, including the rules about when they're disclosed.
Disclosure periods
The length of the disclosure period depends on:
- what your conviction is
- the sentence you got
- your age on the date of the conviction
Find more information on the length of disclosure periods.
If you need help to work out a disclosure period, email ScotlandWorksForYou@gov.scot.
What an unspent conviction is
An unspent conviction is a conviction that is still within its disclosure period. It will show on a basic disclosure and higher level disclosures.
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