Police Caution/ effect on possible employment?

A few years back I picked up a caution for something very minor. Nothing went to court and thus I have never been convicted of any criminal offence.

I am now intending to go to uni in September to do a Law degree with a view to becoming a Solicitor / Barrister.

I was cautioned in 2000 thus meaning by the time that I start practicing (2009/2010) the caution will be approx. 10 years old (most things like this are considered "spent" after five years).

I am wondering if anyone thinks that this may in any way affect my employment prospects within the legal sector? Surly there are solicitors / barristers out there with cautions and even convictions to their name?

I would hate to do six years training then for someone to deny me because of something that happened when I was 18.
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what happens if u do get a criminal record and want to become a solicitor, are u screwed?

Thats what I thought, but since Sarah Payne, Holly and Jessica etc. they seem to be really into "background checks" on people. The caution was for (alleged) harrasment. Just to confirm that I am not a monster the legal definition of harrasment is two attempts at contact when the person being contacted does not wish to be contacted. Basically I called a girlfriend several times after we went our seperate ways and with no warning one day the police were at my doorstep. The fact that I was just trying to arrange collection of some property of mine seemed irrelevant to them.

Personally I dont see how it can stop me. As you mention it didnt go to court and thus I have no formal criminal record.

Awww that sounds awful, i hope she feels guilty!
xox

You shouldn't have any problems. However, I should digress and point out to you that cautions can be used in court to rebutt evidence of good character.

HOPEFULLY my caution will not affect my employment prospects.

The Law Society states that anyone convicted of a crime must disclose it and they will consider their suitability for legal practice however as I was not convicted of anything then I will probably ok.

A caution means sod all anyway...apparantly 30-40% of adults over 40 years old have either a caution or conviction for something (other than motoring offenses).

it may if u wanna get a job and apply for uni, its best not to lie. i think a caution gets taken off u after a while

Yes they can if you have to get an enhanced disclosure.

Simply to answer the question posted in the beginning of this thread, in order to decalre a Police Caution you have to have "signed" aPoilce Caution as far as I am aware.

In order to sign the caution, the police has to arrest you first before cautioning you.

What it sounds to me like is that you were not even arrested let alone cautioned by the Police in writing ( correct me if I am wrong). I do not therefore think that you should disclose this information to prospective employers.

I think that you can find out by Disclosure policies and the data Protection Act by the Police your exact legal standing versus the informal police warning your received.


Please do let me know what you think,
regards