Pardons Canada: Can I Travel to the US with an Assault Conviction?
Assault is the most common criminal charge in Canada.
It often results from a fight that has gotten too heated, so the police are called to the scene. The result is usually an arrest and fingerprinting at the local police.
Even if the assault charge is later dismissed, withdrawn or stayed your record will still show that you have been in trouble with the police. This also applies to assault charges that are conditional or absolute discharged. The negative impact of your prints on record can affect job applications and US travel.
A Canada Pardon is required if there is a conviction for an assault charge. A File Destruction is required if the charges were withdrawn, dismissed, stayed, peace bond, conditional or absolute discharged.
Each day we receive emails and phone calls from people who have been fingerprinted by the police because of a fight with their spouse, neighbour, or stranger. Often these fights got too heated in the moment and the police were called either by a person in the fight or by an onlooker.
Here is an example of a recent email we received:
“I am desparate for help. I am 24 years old living in Alberta with my boyfriend. We had a fight in our apartment, it got loud and someone called the police.”
“Because I took the blame I guess they removed me I was put in jail for 9 hours fingerprinted totally humiliated etc. I am not allowed back to where I live, we are not allowed to see each other.”
“It is totally insane and blown way out proportion. Neither one of us filed charges against each other it was just a fight, everyone has them. A noise violation was all that is what we are guilty of.”
“My lawyer told me to plead not guilty or I will end up with a criminal record, according to your web page I already have one I cannot afford to go to court and feel I have done nothing wrong to require such harsh punishment.”
“My biggest concern is having a record. I have never done anything wrong in my life, and we like to travel. Can you advise what the best course of action to take would be.”
“I am in a nightmare and just want to be able to clear my name. I do not want a record. Can you reply as soon as possible I do not know what to do.”
If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at [email protected] or call 1-877-929-6011.
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.
