an ncylc e-bulletin

Issue #1: June 2003

ARE YOU BLACKMARKED?

An issue that keeps arising in both our Lawmails and telephone advice requests is that of police records. What is recorded? Who may see it? And is it ever removed from my record? are all common questions faced by our volunteers and legal staff.

We have really fallen upon a complex area here. After extensive searches in the nasty Criminal Records Act (NSW) and the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act (NSW) to no avail, the Centre has sought advice from the Police Commissioner in each state and territory around Australia. Currently we are awaiting replies but from the responses we have had, the answer is really a case of "how long is a piece of string?" It appears that we will have to just take each query on its own as there are so many variables involved such as: What Act are they in breach of? Was it a caution or a conviction and if a conviction - which court?

We hope to keep you all updated with this issue as it is clearly of concern to many young people.

Corinna Elliot