Demystifying Eligibility Criteria for Record Suspension
When you have a criminal record, it can be difficult to try and move on with your life. In particular, finding a good job can often become quite challenging. Many companies don’t want to take the chance on someone with a history of criminal activity. There are also many professions where it is against the law to hire someone with a criminal record. Jobs that require a clean criminal record include, private investigator, security guard, banking, government, law enforcement and more.
Sometimes, having a criminal record might feel like you are in an impossible situation. The truth however, is much different. If eligible, you can apply for a pardon. In most cases, a pardon means that the government has decided to remove the criminal offense from your official record. This means that an employer who requires a background check from you will not see any evidence of your previous criminal activity. It allows you to move forward, to earn the career and life you truly deserve.
Can YOU Apply for a Pardon?
The first thing you need to better understand is whether or not your criminal record is eligible for a pardon. As you can imagine, the Canadian government does not automatically grant pardons to everyone.
People that have committed a sexual offence that involves children, or who have more than 3 offences (prosecuted by indictment, with a prison sentence of two or more years) are not eligible for a pardon. This is strictly enforced.
It is important to also remember that the government can revoke your pardon if given just cause. This means that if you lie on your application and the government finds out, you will lose your pardoned status. If you commit another crime after the government has granted you a pardon, you will also lose your pardon status.
How do you apply?
Applying for a pardon is a tricky process. You must apply with the Parole Board of Canada. This government branch is the only organization that is legally authorized to grant pardons. They require a lot of information and documentation regarding your criminal offense, some of which is difficult to track down on your own. Some of these items include,
- Completed application forms
- Court documents
- Local police records
- Citizenship documents
- Digital fingerprints
Don’t know where to start? That’s okay. You’ll be happy to hear that throughout Canada, there are many third party companies who can help. One of those companies for example is based in Ontario. They are called, Canada Pardons.
Getting Help with Your Pardon
Canada Pardons is a non-profit company that specializes in providing assistance to people who want to apply for a pardon. Working with a company like Canada Pardons is wonderful in many ways including the fact that they:
Answer Your Questions
If you have questions about whether or not you are eligible for a pardon, Canada Pardons will have the answer. They work with hundreds of people just like you who simply want a fair chance at gaining employment. Having your questions answered by a dedicated professional will help to simplify your application process. More importantly, you won’t waste your time or money on fees if you don’t have everything you need.
Gather Your Documentation
If you are eligible for a pardon, a third party company like Canada Pardons can help you to collect all the information you need. This is very important because it helps to move your application through the process much faster. Canada Pardons has existing relationships with many of the right people to pull your court records. They will also know how to accurately fill out the application form.
Send in Your Application
A third party company like Canada Pardons will also help you to submit your application. Again, because they work with so many people—and so often—your application will not suffer from mistakes or errors. When the Parole Board of Canada receives your application, you are significantly less likely to suffer delays due to missing or incorrect information. With a company like Canada Pardons at your side, you are much more likely to receive your pardon faster.
Pardon Fees
There is a cost associated to obtaining your pardon. If you work with a third party company, they typically do ask for a small fee. However, the benefits to working with a company that knows exactly what you need in order to successfully receive a pardon often outweigh the cons.
If you decide to apply for a pardon on your own, the Parole Board of Canada does charge a fee of a little over $600.00 CAD. If you don’t supply a piece of required documentation, or fill out the application incorrectly, the Parole Board of Canada will reject the application. It is possible that you will need to re-pay the fee and have to wait much longer to receive your pardon. This is why working with a third party is often a better option.
United States Entry Waver
In some situations, your criminal record could impact whether or not you can travel from Canada to the United States. If you have a criminal record and plan on travelling to the United States, you will likely need a United States (U.S.) Entry Waver.
A U.S. Entry Waver is a piece of documentation that will allow you to enter the United States without issue. This waver basically provides documentation and details of your criminal record to the United States government.
As you can imagine, the application for a U.S. Entry Waver requires a lot of documentation and fingerprints. Even then, you aren’t guaranteed to receive the waver. This is where companies like Canada Pardons can help. Their employees have the expertise to put together your application. The better the application, the higher the chances that you will receive your entry waver.
Start Thinking About the Future
Once you have received your pardon, you can start to think about the type of career you want to pursue. If you want a career as a private investigator for example, you now have the option to earn your license! Working with a company like Pardons Canada will truly help you to get there much faster.
Overall, applying for a pardon will help you to breath a little bit easier. Your past will no longer limit your bright future.
Pardons Canada undertakes all necessary steps and procedures for removing your criminal record, including: Pardons/Record Suspensions, Purges, Photograph & Fingerprint Destruction, and U.S. Entry Waivers.
