are spent convictions ever spent or can they always be brought up?

Answer 1

Some convictions are never spent. It depends on the sentance recieved. For more information, see:
http://www.yourrights.org.uk/your-rights/chapters/privacy/spent-convictions-and-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders/how-convictions-become-spent.shtml

There are also certain careers that you will be required to inform a prospective employer of any convictions, even spent ones. You can see more about these exceptions here:
http://www.yourrights.org.uk/your-rights/chapters/privacy/spent-convictions-and-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders/exceptions-to-the-roa.shtml

Spent convictions never really go away, there are always circumstances when things can come back to haunt you. Its worth reading through the articles above, as well as the following ones in the link, if you are interested in how your spent conviction may affect you.http://www.yourrights.org.uk/your-rights/chapters/privacy/spent-convictions-and-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders/spent-convictions-and-rehabilitation-of-offe.shtml

Answer 2

My partner is American, and I'm pretty sure that when we visit the USA there is a question on the immigration form about if you've ever had a conviction (spent or not). So they probably can always be brought up abroad at least.

Answer 3

They are only spent in certain circumstances but this does not mean they disappear yes they can be brought up by the police national computer

Answer 4

A spent conviction is a crime which you'd commited, been punished for and completed the punishment. If it was something ridiculous in which you were cautioned/court fines etc will last for 5 years, anything more serious, ie short prision sentence for something non serious will last for 10 years, and something horrendously serious like life inprisonment for murder, lasts forever.