The spent conviction is a legitimate benefit given by the legislator to the offender, which consists of eliminating the unfortunate consequences of the offender's conviction. It displays general functions that can be found in the substantive criminal law, which therefore modifies for its purpose. The same can be said about the principles that are applyied both to the substantive and to the procedural criminal law. In addition to the modified principles of substantive and procedural criminal law, adjustment of the spent convictions particular principles typical for civil law sector. The paper focuses on the manifestations and the form of these principles and functions in the spending of convictions.