Annulled Convictions Act 2003 facilitates the offenders’ rehabilitation by making sure that minor convictions are negated for almost every necessary purpose. The law puts restrictions on disclosing and acquiring information about negated convictions and formulates similar provisions, pardons and quashed convictions for related purposes.

According to the law, conviction means a testimony recorded against an individual for an offence,

as a result of acceptance of violation notice or indictment, after or before the commencement of the Act.

Minor convictions means any convictions other than a prescribed conviction, conviction for sexual offence and conviction for which imprisonment sentence of more than six months is imposed.

Annulled Convictions Act 2003 is applicable not only for convictions of offences against the Tasmanian laws but also for convictions of offences against other state laws.

The law enforces annulment of minor convictions for good behavior. If an individual with a conviction displays good behavior for the required period then the convictions are cancelled. Here required period is the 10 years commencing period on the day from which the minor conviction is recorded. An individual is considered to be of good behavior, if during certain period, he is not convicted for offence punishable according to the imprisonment period. An individual’s minor conviction for any offence is annulled, if the offence is prescribed for being an offence for which the section applies and if the offence ceases by operation of any particular law to the offence.

Annulled Convictions Act 2003 also imposes penalty for improper disclosures. A person should not be intimidated to reveal information about annulled conviction of other person. If someone does so then he is charged with the penalty of 50 points.

An individual having access to authorized criminal records should not divulge information about someone’s annulled conviction without the lawful authority and consent of the concerned person. The regulations made under the law apply according to the restrictions, limitations and matters as well as circumstances specified in criminal details.