What is Criminal Record?
A criminal record is a record of a person’s criminal convictions history. The information included in a criminal record and the existence of a criminal record varies between countries and even between jurisdictions within a country.
How Long Is Criminal Record Valid In South Africa
10 years
According to Section 217B(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act, you can apply to have your criminal record expunged if: It has been 10 years since the date of your conviction (five years if you were 18 or younger at the time) It was a minor offense, such as petty theft or shoplifting.
How long does your criminal record last in South Africa?
A clearance certificate issued by the Criminal Record Centre of the South African Police Service issued on a date 10 years after the conviction(s) and sentence(s).
Does a criminal record go away in South Africa?
You can apply to have your criminal record expunged when: a period of 10 years has passed after the date of the conviction for that offense. you have not been convicted and sentenced to a period of imprisonment without the option of a fine during those 10 years.
How to check if you still have a criminal record in South Africa?
The most common approaches include obtaining a SAPS Police Clearance Certificate and conducting online checks through authorized platforms like AFISwitch. These methods allow individuals to access their criminal record information, enabling them to make informed decisions and fulfill legal and regulatory requirements.
How does criminal record work in South Africa?
Once a person has been taken to court, a criminal record is created and will show charges and subsequent court appearances for that specific case. There are cases where a defense attorney can possibly arrange with the prosecutor to prevent you from being formally charged.