This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27916406

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Criminal records 'should be wiped at 18', say MPs and peers Criminal records 'should be wiped at 18', say MPs and peers
(about 3 hours later)
Children who have committed minor crimes but have stopped breaking the law should have their record cleared when they turn 18, an inquiry has said.Children who have committed minor crimes but have stopped breaking the law should have their record cleared when they turn 18, an inquiry has said.
The review, by a cross-party group of MPs and members of the House of Lords, heard a criminal record could hamper education and employment prospects.The review, by a cross-party group of MPs and members of the House of Lords, heard a criminal record could hamper education and employment prospects.
It also found youth justice in England and Wales had "systemic failings" and an "inability" to prevent offending.It also found youth justice in England and Wales had "systemic failings" and an "inability" to prevent offending.
Inquiry chair Lord Carlile said courts could be "terrifying" for a child.Inquiry chair Lord Carlile said courts could be "terrifying" for a child.
The Liberal Democrat peer said: "Too often children are being left to flounder in court with little understanding of what is happening to them."The Liberal Democrat peer said: "Too often children are being left to flounder in court with little understanding of what is happening to them."
He said crown court appearances could be a "negative and terrifying experience", adding: "Where possible, children should not be taken before a court, and crown court appearances for under-18s should be the rare exception."He said crown court appearances could be a "negative and terrifying experience", adding: "Where possible, children should not be taken before a court, and crown court appearances for under-18s should be the rare exception."
'Anchor' to past'Anchor' to past
Under current rules, criminal convictions for under-18s stay on their record for five-and-a-half years, while cautions last two years. Some offences are never removed.Under current rules, criminal convictions for under-18s stay on their record for five-and-a-half years, while cautions last two years. Some offences are never removed.
As well as calling for records to be cleared at 18 for low-level offences, the inquiry said these time periods should be reduced.As well as calling for records to be cleared at 18 for low-level offences, the inquiry said these time periods should be reduced.
Evidence submitted to the inquiry suggested it is often not made clear to children by police that some out-of-court disposals, such as community resolutions, youth cautions and youth conditional cautions, can appear on criminal record checks.Evidence submitted to the inquiry suggested it is often not made clear to children by police that some out-of-court disposals, such as community resolutions, youth cautions and youth conditional cautions, can appear on criminal record checks.
One young person told the inquiry a criminal record was like an "anchor" to past offences.One young person told the inquiry a criminal record was like an "anchor" to past offences.
The inquiry also found:
Enver Solomon, of the National Children's Bureau, which provided the secretariat for the inquiry, said reforms were needed to ensure resources were not "wasted on processing children through the courts" in a way which did not stop them becoming "criminals of the future".
"It merits urgent attention by all political parties to bring forward new approaches that are well evidenced and will deliver far better outcomes for child defendants, victims and their families," he said.