According to a recent report, police have received an enormous increase in criminal background check requests over the past five years. These requests are coming mainly from employers and for volunteer and coaching purposes.
People are shocked to find out that even though they were never convicted of a crime, the criminal background check is coming back with a positive hit. If the person was ever fingerprinted by the police and even if the charges were later dismissed, withdrawn, stayed, diversion, absolute or conditional discharge, the criminal background is showing up.
This is a huge obstacle for employment, traveling, volunteering and coaching. A file destruction is required in order to remove the prints, photos, court and police records so that when a criminal background check is done, nothing will show up.
Here is a recent expose in the Toronto Star on how a pot charge (that was later withdrawn) still showed up at the US Border, and the person was denied entry to the US. Once denied entry, you require a US Entry Waiver which is an expensive and lengthy process.
