How does a discharge without conviction work?

A discharge without conviction under section 106 of the Sentencing Act 2002 means you are found guilty but the court does not record a conviction, so you can generally say you have no conviction. The court must be satisfied that the direct and indirect consequences of a conviction would be out of all proportion to the gravity of the offence. It weighs the offence's seriousness, your personal circumstances and the specific harm a conviction would cause, for example threatening your registration in a profession or your ability to travel. You typically need clear evidence, such as a letter from your regulator or employer. Even then, the court has discretion, and you are more likely to succeed for lower-level offending. Some regulators can still take action based on the facts.