Erasing or Deleting a Criminal Record: What's the real situation?
Many people search for "remove criminal record" or "clear criminal record," for example because they need a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG ) for work or study. The reality is less straightforward: a criminal record is not an account that you can "reset."
In this blog, we explain clearly:
what people mean by "criminal record,"
why you usually cannot have this removed,
and why a Certificate of Good Conduct often revolves around a limited review period.
What is a criminal record?
What is commonly referred to as a "criminal record" is officially your judicial documentation. It may contain, for example:
judicial convictions,
a penalty order (Public Prosecution Service penalty order),
other criminal dispositions (depending on the type).
Can you have your criminal record expunged?
In most cases: no.
A criminal record is not usually expunged on request because it is "in the way." It is a record of criminal decisions.
What is possible (in the right situation):
check what has been recorded,
request corrections if there are factual errors,
assess whether a previous decision can still be challenged (e.g., in the case of a timely appeal against a penalty order),
and in VOG cases: lodging an objection against a refusal.
Important: A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is not the same as a criminal record.
Many people think, "I have a criminal record, so I won't get a Certificate of Good Conduct." That's not always true.
When processing a VOG application, Justis primarily considers:
whether there are any relevant facts within a certain review period,
or whether those facts fit the screening profile of the position,
and your personal circumstances.
So even if something has been recorded in the past, it may be that:
it falls outside the review period, or
not considered relevant for the position.
What can you do if you encounter problems because of your criminal record?
1) Have your registration checked
Sometimes it turns out that people are frightened by something that:
registered differently than they thought,
or must be interpreted differently in legal terms.
2) Prevent new registrations (e.g., criminal order)
A penalty order may seem "easy," but it can have consequences for your Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) and your job. If in doubt, have this assessed first.
3) VOG refused? File an objection
If your Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) has been refused, you can lodge an objection within six weeks. With good grounds, this is often successful.
Need help? Get a quick and accurate assessment
If you search for "removing a criminal record," you are usually looking for one thing: what does this mean for my future? To answer this question, it is important to get a clear legal understanding of your situation.
👉 Would you like to know what your criminal record means for a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG), work, or future plans? Contact us for a no-obligation initial consultation. We will put you in touch with a specialized criminal lawyer.