How Long Is It Before A Juvenile Conviction Is ‘Spent’?

[jelly baby]

Forty years ago at the age of 14, a friend was convicted of the theft of £100. He pleaded guilty and was given 12 months probation. It is his one and only conviction.
Would this show on a DBS check?
Thanks

[New Judge]

Under the current legislation a community order (which "probation" is) becomes spent six months after the order is ended. As an aside, such a sentence is not available for people under 18 now. They would have what is called a "Referral Order" imposed.

It is very unlikely that your friend's conviction is recorded anywhere.

[jelly baby]

Thank you.

[Buenchico]

A probation order becomes 'spent' immediately at the end of the probation period, so the offence wouldn't show up on a 'Basic' DBS check (which only shows unspent convictions).

'Standard' and 'Enhanced' DBS checks do show convictions that would otherwise be regarded as spent. However such conviction are now 'filtered' after a certain period, depending upon the sentence imposed by the court. (That doesn't apply to certain types of offences, such as sexual ones, but that's not relevant here). A non-custodial sentence for a minor becomes filtered after 5½ years.

So your friend's conviction won't show up on any DBS check.