File Destruction Services in Edmonton

File Destruction Services in Edmonton

Whether you live in Edmonton or any other city in Alberta, all of us, at one point or another, are going to make mistakes. Some of those errors may even run afoul of the law, such as a speeding or parking ticket, but others may be more serious and lead to a criminal arrest.

Even these types of mistakes, as serious as they are, may not lead to a criminal conviction. However, that doesn’t mean that if a background check is run on you at a later date, nothing will appear. Quite the opposite, in fact, unless you get what is called a file destruction.

It’s All On Record

The “permanent record” that so many of us hear about isn’t an urban legend. It exists, and any Canadian that is willing to pay the money can have yours checked, though all they are legally entitled to see is anything relating to a criminal conviction. Where most people make a common mistake is in assuming if you have no criminal conviction, you have nothing on your record. But if you were ever arrested, fingerprinted, and put on trial, information detailing this process exists.

It means that even if you got acquitted, or had your case withdrawn or dismissed, the evidence that your fingerprints are on record, that you were arrested and even the nature of the charges that you were accused of, may still be on file and legally viewable by others. This also applies to peace bond, stay of proceedings, and absolute and conditional discharges.

Clearing The Air

For anyone that wants to make sure that any traces of an arrest, charges, and fingerprinting records do not show up in a background check, all it takes is to apply for—and have approved—a file destruction. When this happens, both the police department that made the initial arrest and took the fingerprints, as well as the RCMP cooperate to have these details removed from the system; so regular background checks find nothing.

The good thing about the file destruction process is that it is simple and easy to implement, compared to something like a record suspension, which erases actual criminal convictions from the record. The requirements for file destruction are not as comprehensive or strict as that of a record suspension since no conviction actually occurred.

Do It The Right Way

Starting the process of file destruction is comparatively easier, and definitely faster than the suspension record process, which requires time served and waiting at least five years before an application can even be submitted. However, just because the file destruction process is faster and easier, that doesn’t mean it is necessarily simple. Documents, applications and other bureaucratic requirements will still have to be filled. The RCMP and the police department involved both have to approve the request.

This is where Pardons Canada can play an important role as advocate and guide. We are a non-profit organization with years of experience in helping Canadians to enjoy clear records that will not have an unfair impact on their lives. Whether you are looking to clear your criminal record, wanting a U.S. entry waiver to legally travel to the United States, or just wanting to clear out the last traces of an unfortunate mistake in your past that nearly resulted in a conviction, but didn’t, we can help. We know what is required, and we know how to submit your application with everything needed for the maximum chance of success.