I have a criminal record. Can I have it expunged?
It depends. A criminal record can only be expunged if:
- It has been 10 years since the conviction (or five years if the individual was 18 or under).
- It was a minor offence.
- There was no other offence committed at the same time and there was the option of paying a fine rather than imprisonment.
- If the individual was told there would not be a criminal record if they paid a fine but subsequently they have learned they have a record.
- The fine was <R20 000.
- They were given a suspended sentence.
- The name of the convicted person has been removed from the National Register of Sex Offenders or the National Child Protection Register, if relevant.
View all Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer
The information on this website is provided to assist the reader with a general understanding of the law.
While we believe the information to be factually accurate, and have taken care in our preparation of these
pages, these articles cannot and do not take individual circumstances into account and are not a substitute
for personal legal advice. If you have a legal matter that concerns you, please consult a qualified attorney.
Simon Dippenaar & Associates takes no responsibility for any action you may take as a result of reading the
information contained herein (or the consequences thereof), in the absence of professional legal advice.